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Andrzejczak, Gusciora & Spencer Bill to Protect Children & Pets by Helping Prevent Anti-Freeze Poisoning Now Law

Legislation Assemblymen Bob Andrzejczak and Reed Gusciora and Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer sponsored to ensure that anti-freeze sold in New Jersey includes a bittering agent to prevent poisonous ingestion by children and pets has been signed into law.

“Pets, especially dogs, have been known to drink antifreeze, which is a highly toxic substance that can be sweet-tasting, leading to serious health issues or even death,” said Andrzejczak (D-Cape May/Cumberland/Atlantic). “Bittering agents are effective in helping to prevent consumption by both animals and children, who sometimes confuse the substance with brightly colored sports drinks.”

The law (A-2961) establishes a civil penalty for failing to include a bittering agent in antifreeze sold in New Jersey.

“This adds a little more punch to previous laws to ensure that this potentially life-saving measure is complied with,” said Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon). “This simple procedure can help deter children and pets from accidentally ingesting anti-freeze by giving manufacturers a greater incentive to comply with the law.”

“Previous law required the use of a bittering agent in antifreeze products sold in New Jersey, but it did not provide a penalty for persons who did not comply with that requirement,” said Spencer (D-Essex). “This law fills that gap and better protects children and pets.”

The new law provides that any person who fails to include a bittering agent in antifreeze is subject to a civil penalty of $500 for each offense. The law also provides that when a violation is of a continuing nature, each day during which it continues constitutes an additional, separate and distinct offense.