§ 13-1e-99-133

13:1E-99.133 Program to assist businesses with compliance. 8. No later than six months after the effective date of P.L.2020, c.117 (C.13:1E-99.126 et al.): a. the Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, shall establish a program to assist businesses in complying with the provisions of P.L.2020, c.117 (C.13:1E-99.126 et al.), including, but not limited to, developing and publishing on its Internet website guidance on compliance with the act, and establishing an online clearinghouse of vendors who provide environmentally sound alternatives to single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, and single-use plastic straws; and b. the organization under contract with the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to section 6 of P.L.2002, c.128 (C.13:1E-218) shall, in cooperation with local governments and the business community, develop and implement a Statewide public information and education program concerning the provisions of P.L.2020, c.117 (C.13:1E-99.126 et al.). The program shall include, but need not be limited to, educational programs, public service announcements,

and education program concerning the provisions of P.L.2020, c.117 (C.13:1E-99.126 et al.). The program shall include, but need not be limited to, educational programs, public service announcements, and the distribution of free reusable carryout bags throughout the State. The program established pursuant to this subsection shall include the distribution of 500,000 free reusable carryout bags proportionally distributed to the State's food banks, as defined pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1982, c.178 (C.24:4A-2), based on the population served by each food bank. L.2020, c.117, s.8; amended 2022, c.6, s.2.