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Bill

A 4820

Relates to physical therapists and occupational therapists in school districts and board of cooperative educational services

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ari Brown and 3 co-sponsors

Prohibits NJ wholesale dealers from price gouging physical goods for resale; violations fall under the Consumer Fraud Act with up to $10,000 first offense and $20,000 later.

REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · A 4820

Bill Summary: A 4820

Note on content consistency: The bill’s formal title references issues related to physical therapists and occupational therapists in school districts and boards of cooperative educational services. However, the version content provided here concerns price gouging by wholesale dealers on physical goods. The summary below reflects the introduced text as provided (price gouging provisions) and notes the title/content mismatch.

Overview

  • Bill: A 4820
  • Topic (as introduced content): Prohibits price gouging by wholesale dealers who sell physical goods at wholesale for resale.
  • Objective: Protect small businesses and other purchasers from unconscionable increases in wholesale prices not justified by inflation or normal market forces.
  • Status: Referred to Higher Education ( Assembly actions show an initial referral to Consumer Affairs; later re-referred to Higher Education on 2025-02-06).

Main purpose and intent

  • To curb price gouging by wholesale dealers that sell physical goods at wholesale for resale.
  • Defines price gouging as unconscionable, unjustified price increases beyond inflation, abnormal market disruptions, or natural supply/demand fluctuations.
  • Seeks to align enforcement with New Jersey’s consumer protection framework (unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act).

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions:
    • Physical goods: Consumer goods used for personal or household purposes (includes beverages, foodstuffs, medical supplies, etc.).
    • Wholesale dealers: Entities organized in New Jersey that sell physical goods at wholesale solely for resale to retail dealers or others for resale.
    • Price gouging: Unconscionable price increases not justified by inflation or typical market factors.
  • Prohibition:
    • It is unlawful for wholesale dealers to engage in price gouging when selling physical goods.
  • Enforcement and regulation:
    • The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs will adopt rules/regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the act.
  • Penalties and remedies:
    • Violations are unlawful practices under the consumer fraud act.
    • Monetary penalties: up to $10,000 for a first offense; up to $20,000 for subsequent offenses.
    • Possible additional remedies include cease-and-desist orders, punitive damages, treble damages, and costs to the injured party.
  • Effective date and actions:
    • The act takes effect on the first day of the seventh month after enactment.
    • The Director may undertake advance administrative actions to implement provisions.

Who would be affected

  • Wholesale dealers selling physical goods at wholesale for resale in New Jersey.
  • Retail dealers and other purchasers of wholesale goods who could be affected by pricing practices.
  • The Division of Consumer Affairs and the Attorney General as enforcers.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: September 19, 2024 (Assembly).
  • Initial referral: Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee.
  • Re-referrals: Referred to Higher Education on February 6, 2025 (listed twice in actions).
  • Rulemaking: Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs empowered to adopt implementing regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act.
  • Optional early actions: Director may take advance administrative actions prior to enactment for implementation.

Sponsorship and related measures

  • Primary sponsor: Eric Brown.
  • Co-sponsors: Brian Maher, Joe DeStefano, Michael Durso.
  • Related bills: A 3336 (prior-session) and S 6581 (companion).

Note: This summary focuses on the introduced price-gouging framework contained in the Version Content provided. If the bill’s intended subject is indeed therapy services in schools, a separate text would be needed to reflect that content.

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

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