summary
Introduced
02/09/2026
02/09/2026
In Committee
02/09/2026
02/09/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires children's Halloween costumes sold at retail to have reflective material that is 1) attached to the costume, or 2) packaged with the costume to be subsequently attached by the buyer. Reflective material increases visibility in unsafe situations and helps to reduce the risk of consequential accidents due to low visibility or darkness. A person who sells a child's Halloween costume without reflective material would pay a penalty of not more than $500 for the first offense and not more than $1,000 for each subsequent offense. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to purchase or make costumes that are brightly colored and clearly visible to motorists. Consumers should decorate or trim costumes and treat bags with reflective tape that glows in the beam of a car's headlights. The commission also recommends that bags or sacks be brightly colored or decorated with reflective tape. According to the CPSC, hundreds of Halloween-related injuries are reported each year. Incidents involve burns, lacerations from pumpkin-carving, falls related to ill-fitting costumes, and injuries from collisions due to impaired vision. Requiring reflective material on costumes marketed to and used by children improves the safety of trick-or-treaters and drivers on Halloween night.
AI Summary
This bill requires that any Halloween costume intended for children, defined as individuals under 18 years of age, sold in New Jersey must include reflective material, which is defined as anything highly visible in low light such as reflective tape or fabric, either attached to the costume or provided with it for later attachment. This measure aims to increase the visibility of children trick-or-treating in the dark, thereby reducing the risk of accidents, and sellers who fail to comply will face penalties of up to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses. The act will become effective immediately and apply to costumes sold after November 15th of the year it is enacted.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 02/09/2026)
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/2026/S3424 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3500/3424_I1.HTM |
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