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Bill

A 1840

Relates to expanding the geographical area of employment of university police officers; repealer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Angelino

NJ A1840 bans BPA/BPS-coated paper receipts and fully eliminates paper receipts within 13 months, expanding electronic receipts; penalties up to $500 per offense; DEP enforcement.

REFERRED TO CODES
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Bill Summary · A 1840

Summary: Assembly Bill A1840 (Paper Receipt Reduction Act)

Note: The bill’s title in the provided information references a separate topic (university police employment) but the introduced text and provisions pertain to paper receipts. This summary focuses on the actual content of the introduced act, which centers on phasing out paper receipts in New Jersey.

Overview

  • Bill Number: A1840
  • Title (introduced content): Paper Receipt Reduction Act
  • Primary sponsor: Joe Angelino
  • Current status: Referred to CODES (initially introduced in ENRNR; subsequent action shows referral to Codes)
  • Introduced: January 9, 2024
  • Key aim: Eliminate use of paper receipts containing certain toxic chemicals (BPA/BPS) and ultimately phase out all paper receipts in New Jersey, favoring electronic receipts.

Purpose and Rationale

  • Environmental and public health concerns drive the bill. It notes that:
    • Paper receipt production uses significant resources and generates environmental impacts (trees, water use, waste, and greenhouse gases).
    • A large share of receipt paper is coated with BPA or BPS, chemicals linked to health issues.
    • Thermal paper is difficult to recycle safely due to BPA/BPS transfer.
  • The bill seeks to protect consumers and workers by reducing exposure to BPA/BPS and reducing paper waste, with a transition to digital alternatives.

Key Provisions

1) Definitions
- Consumer: a person in New Jersey who buys goods or uses a service.
- Retailer: any seller of merchandise at retail in the state.
- Service provider: any entity that provides services to consumers in the state.
- Electronic receipt: a receipt delivered digitally (email, text, etc.) rather than on paper.
- Business or banking record: includes receipts and other transaction records.

2) Prohibitions and Phase-In
- Effective date prohibition: As of the act’s effective date, retailers/service providers may not provide a receipt printed on paper containing BPA or BPS.
- Phase-out deadline: Beginning on the first day of the thirteenth month after the act’s effective date, no receipt on any paper may be provided (i.e., a full paper-receipt ban in 13 months).
- Electronic receipts: Always permissible and encouraged; the act does not restrict electronic receipts.

3) Penalties
- Civil penalties: $250 to $500 for each offense.
- Enforcement: Handled via summary civil action under the Penalty Enforcement Law; continuing violations count as separate offenses daily.
- Jurisdiction: Superior Court and municipal courts may enforce; DEP can also pursue penalties or injunctive relief.

4) Enforcement and Administration
- Enforcement avenues include the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), counties, municipalities, or certified entities.
- Penalties and injunctive relief may be pursued in a summary manner.

5) Regulatory Authority
- DEP is directed to adopt rules and regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the act.

6) Effective Date
- Generally takes effect 45 days after enactment.
- Anticipatory administrative actions are allowed to facilitate implementation.

Who Is Affected

  • Retailers and service providers operating in New Jersey that issue receipts.
  • Consumers who receive receipts (electronic alternatives remain available).
  • DEP, counties, municipalities, and other entities involved in environmental health and enforcement.

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024 (Assembly ENRNR committee initially; later listed as REFERRED TO CODES).
  • Legislative actions show ongoing consideration with a Codes referral as of January 14, 2025.
  • If enacted, the act would begin with an immediate restriction on BPA/BPS-containing receipts, followed by a universal paper-receipt ban about 13 months after the effective date.

Related Information

  • Related bills in prior sessions (S8980, A10746, S3749, S6279, A7597) and companion bill S130 are noted in the record.

This bill would represent a notable shift toward digital receipts in New Jersey, with a staged approach to remove all paper receipts and corresponding environmental/health protections centered on BPA/BPS-free transactions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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