This bill mandates that all front-loading clothes washing machines and dryers sold in New Jersey must be equipped with child safety locks to prevent young children from accessing the machines and potentially becoming trapped. The bill defines a child safety lock as a locking mechanism that is either installed during manufacturing or retrofitted in accordance with the bill's provisions. It also stipulates that these locks must be designed to prevent the door from being opened by children and can only be removed using a key or combination. Additionally, the bill imposes civil penalties for violations, with fines of up to $5,000 for the first offense and $10,000 for subsequent offenses.

Furthermore, the bill requires manufacturers to provide approved safety locks for installation on previously sold machines that lack these locks, at the manufacturer's expense. Manufacturers must also prepare warning notices and stickers about the risks associated with unprotected machines and distribute them to vendors. Vendors are tasked with contacting consumers who purchased machines without safety locks to arrange for the installation of the locks and to provide the necessary warnings. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs is responsible for establishing standards for the safety locks and warning materials, ensuring compliance with the bill's provisions.