This bill amends the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act to enhance the definitions and regulations surrounding hazardous substances, particularly focusing on polyfluoroalkyl and perfluorinated substances. It introduces new definitions for "hazardous substance" that include specific polyfluoroalkyl compounds and establishes criteria for determining when a municipality is considered a "special drinking water resource-impacted community." The Governor is granted the authority to declare such communities based on the presence of hazardous substances in their water supply, and the bill allows for the establishment of alternative drinking water standards in these areas. Additionally, municipalities can require public water suppliers to test for these substances and report their findings.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Environmental Resources, including the duty to assess whether newly identified chemical substances should be designated as hazardous. It provides protections for municipalities and public water suppliers, stating they will not be held responsible for the presence of certain hazardous substances in wastewater treatment byproducts if the contamination is due to the characteristics of the water supply source. Overall, the legislation aims to improve public health and safety by addressing emerging contaminants in drinking water supplies and ensuring transparency in reporting and testing.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 578 (Feb 12, 2025): P.L.756, No.108, P.L.380, No.97
Printer's No. 0578: P.L.756, No.108, P.L.380, No.97