The Architectural Paint Stewardship Act requires producers of architectural paint in New Jersey to either implement or participate in a statewide paint stewardship program designed to facilitate the environmentally responsible disposal of post-consumer architectural paint. Producers must develop a comprehensive plan that minimizes public sector involvement and costs, ensuring convenient collection sites, promoting reuse and recycling, and adhering to federal waste management guidelines. This plan must be submitted to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection for approval within one year of the act's enactment. Additionally, a paint stewardship assessment will be included in the sale price of architectural paint to fund the program, with the assessment not exceeding the actual costs of implementation.

The bill also establishes compliance measures, prohibiting the sale of architectural paint by producers not engaged in an approved stewardship program. Violators may incur civil administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per calendar year, and the Department of Environmental Protection is authorized to publicly list violators. Furthermore, the legislation provides antitrust liability protections for participating producers, with certain exceptions regarding pricing agreements and production restrictions. The provisions of the bill will take effect immediately, with specific sections enforceable 18 months after enactment.