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A 1421

Relates to the overpayment of insurance claims

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Rosenthal

Prohibits intentionally added PFAS in NJ products and requires manufacturers to notify DEP with PFAS details, aiming to cut exposure and spur regulation.

REFERRED TO INSURANCE
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Bill Summary · A 1421

Summary of New Jersey A 1421 — Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act

Note: The bill text provided centers on PFAS regulation, though the bill’s title in some records references “overpayment of insurance claims.” The substantive content describes PFAS controls rather than insurance claim overpayments. This summary reflects the PFAS-related provisions as introduced.

Overview

  • Bill Number: A 1421
  • Title (Introduced content): Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act
  • Primary focus: Prohibits the intentional addition of PFAS to certain products sold in New Jersey, requires manufacturer notification to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) about PFAS presence, and supports PFAS-related education and research.
  • Introduced: January 9, 2024
  • Status history: Introduced in the Assembly and referred to the Environmental committees; as of January 9, 2025, listed as REFERRED TO INSURANCE (complicating status notes in public records). Sponsored by Linda Rosenthal. Related companion: S 1042.

Purpose and Intent

  • Recognize PFAS as persistent, man-made chemicals with widespread use and potential health and environmental risks.
  • Prohibit intentionally added PFAS in certain products manufactured or sold in New Jersey.
  • Require manufacturers to notify DEP of PFAS presence in their products.
  • Support PFAS-related education, research, and awareness for State residents.
  • Establish a framework for reporting, categorization, and potential regulation of PFAS-containing products, with an aim to reduce exposure and environmental contamination.

Key Provisions (Introduced Version)

Definitions (Section 3)

  • Establishes specific terms such as:
    • PFAS: fluorinated organic chemicals with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.
    • Intentionally added PFAS: PFAS added to a product to confer a specific characteristic or function (and includes degradation byproducts).
    • Product, product component, and product label; including categories like carpet, cookware, cosmetics, fabric treatment, and food packaging.
    • Manufacturer and importer/distributor distinctions for products imported into the U.S.
    • Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Notification Requirement (Section 4)

  • Effective date: One year after the act’s effective date, a manufacturer must notify DEP if a product contains intentionally added PFAS.
  • Required content of notification: 1) Brief product description. 2) Purpose of PFAS use in the product (including components). 3) Amount of each PFAS by CAS number, reported exactly or within an approved reporting range. 4) Manufacturer’s name and address. 5) Contact person’s name, address, email, and phone number. 6) Any additional information the DEP requires.
  • Fee: Notification must be accompanied by a fee (see Section 5).
  • Grouping: Manufacturers may submit information for a category of substantially similar products rather than for each product.
  • Waivers: DEP can waive all or part of the notification criteria if information is already publicly available or provided under other law.

Fees and Administration (Section 5)

  • Affected manufacturers must pay a fee of $1,000 to DEP per notification submission (full text truncated in the provided excerpt, but the $1,000 figure appears in the available content).
  • The bill contemplates the DEP collecting and managing these fees as part of the PFAS notification program.

Effective Date and Implementation

  • The act envisions DEP implementation of the PFAS notification system beginning one year after the act’s effective date.
  • Manufacturers may submit notifications by product category to reduce duplicative reporting.
  • DEP may adjust reporting requirements or waive portions if appropriate.

Who Is Affected

  • Primary: Manufacturers of products sold or offered for sale in New Jersey that contain intentionally added PFAS.
  • Secondary: Importers or first domestic distributors if the U.S.-based manufacturer lacks a presence in the United States (per definitions).

Legislative Model and Related Items

  • Purpose aligns with expanding PFAS research, public education, and regulatory oversight.
  • Related bills: S 1042 (companion), A 8885 (prior-session), A 1663 (prior-session).
  • Proposed funding and enforcement would flow through DEP, with a new reporting and fee framework.

Potential Impact

  • Public Health and Environment: Aims to reduce human and environmental PFAS exposure by identifying and limiting intentionally added PFAS in consumer products.
  • Industry: Regulatory compliance burden and new reporting/fee obligations for manufacturers and importers.
  • State Resources: Requires DEP to establish reporting processes, maintain a PFAS database, and potentially guide future rulemaking or product restrictions.
  • Public Education: Supports educational programming and PFAS research for residents.

If you’d like, I can provide a concise one-page briefing or a side-by-side comparison with the companion S 1042.

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

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