The Mattress Stewardship Act establishes a comprehensive mattress stewardship program in New Jersey, requiring all mattress producers, retailers, and renovators to join a stewardship organization dedicated to the environmentally sound management of discarded mattresses. This organization is responsible for developing and implementing a detailed plan that must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Key provisions include the registration of producers, retailers, and renovators with the stewardship organization, the collection of a mattress stewardship assessment from consumers at the point of sale, and the maintenance of a publicly accessible list of compliant entities by the DEP. The act also outlines penalties for non-compliance, including civil administrative penalties and fines not exceeding $1,000 for each violation.

Furthermore, the act creates the Mattress Stewardship Fund, which will be financed through surcharges, penalties, and fees associated with the program. The stewardship organization is mandated to provide annual reports to the DEP that evaluate the program's effectiveness, including metrics such as sales data, costs, recycling rates, and suggestions for enhancements. The DEP is tasked with reviewing these reports, publishing summaries on its website, and has the authority to inspect properties for compliance and enforce penalties for violations, ensuring the stewardship program operates effectively and serves the public interest.