(a) (1) A program operator shall include as a collection site under its stewardship program any entity that offers in writing to participate in the stewardship program, complies with all applicable state, federal, and municipal laws and regulations, complies with any program operator requirements that are consistent with that program operator’s approved stewardship plan, and is judged by the program operator to have sufficient staff and resources to reliably comply, even if the minimum thresholds described in subdivision (d) of Section 42422.1, as applicable, have been achieved.

(2) A program operator shall include as a collection site under its stewardship program any household hazardous waste collection facility, as defined in § 25218.1 of the Health and Safety Code, that offers in writing to participate in the stewardship program, complies with all applicable state, federal, and municipal laws and regulations, and complies with any program operator requirements that are consistent with that program operator’s approved stewardship plan, even if the minimum thresholds described in subdivision (d) of Section 42422.1, as applicable, have been achieved.

(b) A program operator shall include the offering entity as a collection site in the stewardship program within 90 days of receiving the written offer to participate, confirming that the offering entity will comply with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations, and confirming that the offering entity has sufficient staff and resources to comply with any program operator requirements that are consistent with that program operator’s approved stewardship plan, even if the minimum thresholds described in subdivision (d) of Section 42422.1, as applicable, have been achieved. The program operator shall not be required to respond to offers pursuant to this paragraph until the program operator’s stewardship plan has been approved by the department.

(c) A program operator may suspend or terminate a collection site or service that does not comply with all applicable state, federal, or municipal laws and regulations or adhere to the rules and conditions imposed by the program operator pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 42422.1.

(d) A collection site shall be operated to ensure that covered batteries, as applicable, are collected safely and handled in accordance with all applicable state, federal, and municipal laws and regulations and the rules and conditions of the stewardship plan.

(e) This section does not exempt the program operator from meeting the minimum thresholds described in subdivision (d) of Section 42422.1.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 351, Sec. 1. (AB 2440) Effective January 1, 2023.)