HB 6957 Summary

• Establishes a household battery recycling stewardship program requiring primary battery producers to submit approved stewardship plans to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection by February 1, 2016

• Requires producers or stewardship organizations to establish minimum collection facilities (at least seven per county), provide free collection to consumers, and partner with retailers, municipalities, and waste facilities for battery drop-off locations

• Imposes sales restrictions beginning January 1, 2017, prohibiting retailers from selling primary batteries unless the producer has an approved stewardship plan, with exceptions for producers selling less than $2,000 in batteries annually

• Allows producers with approved plans to seek reimbursement for costs incurred collecting non-participating producers' batteries, and permits civil actions for damages when reimbursement is not received within specified timeframes

• Prohibits consumers from disposing of discarded primary batteries in municipal solid waste, with violations subject to fines up to $500 per battery