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New JerseyS1370221st Legislature (2026-2027)SenateWALLET

Requires new flooring for schools, community centers, and child care centers to be certified mercury-free.*

Sponsored By: Joseph A. Lagana (Democratic), Raj Mukherji (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Public mercury warnings and updated safety standards

Beginning December 1, 2026, the health department must publish a list of flooring that can release mercury vapor. The list appears on health and environmental department websites, identifies types needing manufacturer certification, and includes poured polyurethane made from 1960 through 2005. It must be updated as new information emerges. The health commissioner must review the airborne mercury limit at least every five years, or within 90 days of a related federal rule update, whichever comes sooner. Any needed revision must be published in the New Jersey Register and added to health department guidance.

Flooring manufacturers face fines for false certifications

Beginning December 1, 2026, manufacturers that falsely certify flooring as mercury-free face a $10,000 civil penalty for a first offense. Each later offense carries a $25,000 penalty. Local enforcing agencies can enforce these penalties through court proceedings under New Jersey’s Penalty Enforcement Law.

Facility owners must address mercury flooring

Beginning December 1, 2026, covered projects involving poured polyurethane, flooring with phenyl mercuric acetate, or other health-department-identified materials require certification or air testing. Mercury vapor above the allowed level can be addressed through mitigation, such as ventilation changes, with testing to verify results. Mercury-containing flooring that passes initially or after mitigation requires periodic retesting; failed mitigation requires removal within six months after the final assessment. The health department can grant one extension of up to six months for good cause; current building owners are responsible for flooring installed before the facility’s occupancy or use. The environmental department must set removal and disposal standards consistent with hazardous-waste rules and conduct site inspections.

Families get public facility mercury records

Beginning December 1, 2026, covered facilities with mercury-containing flooring that initially passes air standards must retest every three years. Reassessment is also due within 90 days after building work that could affect ventilation or flooring integrity. Required testing and remediation reports are due to the health department each year by June 30. Facilities must keep test records publicly available to parents, guardians, and staff. A public state database, updated at least annually by July 31, lists tested facilities, mercury flooring, cleanup, retest results, and failures to submit required reports.

Mercury checks and fees for facility flooring

Beginning December 1, 2026, New Jersey requires manufacturer mercury-free certification for listed flooring types before issuing covered construction permits. This covers construction, rebuilding, alterations, conversions, repairs, and upgrades at public and private K–12 schools, community centers, and child care centers. Work limited to meeting this law’s rules and getting Department of Health certification is exempt. The health department must set assessment and air-quality rules and certify qualifying mercury-free existing flooring, allowing it to remain before permitting. Each certification application carries a department-set processing fee, with no amount specified; fees fund only certification administration and enforcement.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Joseph A. Lagana

    Democratic • Senate

  • Raj Mukherji

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Patrick J. Diegnan Jr.

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 111 • No: 0

House vote • 3/23/2026

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 73 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor: APP

    5/7/2026Governor

  2. Approved by Governor — P.L.2026, c.11.

    5/7/2026Governor

  3. Passed Assembly, PBH — (73-0-0)

    3/23/2026House

  4. Substituted for A1514

    3/23/2026House

  5. Received in Assembly, Without Reference, 2nd Reading in Assembly

    3/23/2026House

  6. Reported, 2nd Reading in Assembly

    3/19/2026House

  7. Received in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee

    2/24/2026House

  8. Passed Senate — (38-0)

    2/24/2026Senate

  9. REP/SCS, 2nd Reading in Senate

    2/5/2026Senate

  10. Introduced, 1st Reading in Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee

    1/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Version PL2026

    9/17/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Version AL2026

    8/13/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Assembly Consumer Affairs Substitute (3/19/26 SCS)

    3/20/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Community and Urban Affairs Substitute (2/5/26 SCS)

    3/20/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Community and Urban Affairs (2/5/26 SCS)

    2/20/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • As Introduced

    12/30/2025

    HTMLPDF

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