Legislation sponsored by State Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-Somerset) to prohibit healthcare facilities from discharging prescription medications into public sewer or septic systems was signed into law Nov. 20 by Gov. Chris Christie.

"The improper disposal of unused medications is a direct threat to human health and the environment," Bateman said in a news release. "It poses long-term health consequences and the potential for rampant abuse of drugs, especially among teenagers. This law establishes, and makes healthcare workers accountable for, the safest disposal of unused drugs."

According to the Associated Press, pharmaceuticals including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones have been found in the drinking water supplies of about 41 million Americans.

An AP national investigative team recently discovered medications have been detected in the drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas, including New Jersey.

Within 90 days after enactment of Bateman’s law, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection must issue recommendations for the proper disposal of unused medications and every healthcare institution must submit to the Department of Health and Senior Services and the DEP a plan for the proper disposal of unused prescription medications. If a plan is rejected by the DHSS in consultation with the DEP, the healthcare institution must submit a revised plan within 30 days after receiving notice of the rejection.

Any healthcare facility that violates this law is subject to a maximum civil administrative penalty of $1,000 for a first violation and $2,500 for each subsequent violation.