New Jersey doctors who illegally dump medical waste would get their license suspended for three years and be required to pay a fine under legislation passed by the state Assembly May 9, according to a story in the Star-Ledger.
A-861, which was approved 76-0, would suspend the license of any healthcare professional, medical waste facility, generator, or transporter violating the state’s medical waste antidumping laws. The suspension would be in addition to the current penalties of up to $200,000 in fines and up to 20 years in prison for the most serious offenses.
The bill was developed in response to an incident last year in which Pennsylvania dentist Thomas McFarland, DDS, admitted to intentionally dumping medical waste from his office off the coast of Cape May County, which resulted in a beach closing in Avalon for five days. Dr. McFarland was fined $100,000 and ordered to serve four years of probation.
The bill now goes on to the state Senate for consideration.
