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Bill > S402
NJ S402
NJ S402Prohibits retail mercantile establishments from requiring certain consumer identification for return of merchandise.
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill prohibits retail mercantile establishments from requiring a person to display any permit, license, or identification card issued by any state or the federal government in order to return merchandise, unless the person fails to provide a proof of purchase for that merchandise. This bill also prohibits retail mercantile establishments from scanning, photocopying, or otherwise retaining a copy of a permit, license, or identification card when requiring a person to submit a permit, license, or identification card to return merchandise without a proof of purchase. Under this bill, if a retail mercantile establishment requires a person returning merchandise without proof of purchase to display a permit, license, or identification card, or uses return data concerning the frequency or dollar amount of a person's returns as a basis to deny a return to that person, the establishment shall conspicuously post that requirement on a sign in at least one of the following locations: (1) Affixed to each cash register or point of sale; (2) So situated as to be clearly visible to the buyer from the cash register; or (3) Posted at each store entrance used by the public. The bill stipulates that any retail mercantile establishment which violates any provision of the bill is subject to a civil penalty of $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and not less than $1000 for the third and each subsequent offense.
AI Summary
This bill prohibits retail stores from demanding government-issued identification, such as a driver's license or state ID, from customers returning merchandise unless the customer cannot provide proof of purchase, which is defined as a receipt, bill, credit card slip, or other evidence of buying the item. If a store does require identification for returns without proof of purchase, they are forbidden from scanning, photocopying, or keeping a copy of that identification. Furthermore, any store that requires identification for returns without proof of purchase, or uses a customer's return history (like how often or how much they return) to deny a return, must clearly post this policy on a sign visible at cash registers or store entrances. Violating these rules will result in escalating civil penalties, starting at $250 for a first offense and increasing for subsequent offenses.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S402 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S0500/402_I1.HTM |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S0500/402_I1.HTM |
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