Bill Text: NJ A4101 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Requires retailers to lock up or place bath salts behind counter.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3)

Status: (Introduced) 2026-02-19 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee [A4101 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2026-A4101-Introduced.html

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ASSEMBLY, No. 4101

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  LINDA S. CARTER

District 22 (Somerset and Union)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires retailers to lock up or place bath salts behind counter.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

An Act concerning the sale of bath salts and supplementing P.L.1960, c.39.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    a.  As used in this section:

     "Bath salt" is a crystalline or flaked substance used to perfume or soften bathwater.

     "Under control" means in a locked display case or behind the counter and accessible only to an employee.

     b.    A retail establishment shall only display bath salts for sale in an area under control of the retailer or other employee of the establishment.

     c.     A person in violation of this section shall be subject to a written warning for a first offense.  A subsequent violation of this section is an unlawful practice pursuant to P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.).

 

     2.    This act shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following enactment, except that the Director of Consumer Affairs may take any anticipatory administrative action in advance as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill requires retailers to limit consumer accessibility of bath salts.

     Under the bill, a bath salt is defined as a crystalline or flaked substance used to perfume or soften bathwater.  The bill requires a retailer to keep bath salts in a locked display case or behind the counter, accessible only to an employee. 

     A first violation of the bill's provisions subjects the offender to a written warning.  A subsequent violation would be an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), which is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense.  Additionally, a violation can result in a cease and desist order issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party.

     According to the sponsor, the intent of this bill is to keep bath salts out of reach of minors who may misuse them.