Household hazardous waste: vape pens.

Assembly Member Hadwick's hazardous waste legislation establishes new protocols for schools managing confiscated vape pens, integrating these devices into California's existing household hazardous waste framework. The bill designates confiscated vape pens as household hazardous waste and authorizes schools to transport them to designated collection facilities, provided they follow specified containment and handling requirements.

The legislation permits household hazardous waste collection facilities to disassemble vape pens to separate batteries, electronic components, and parts containing liquids or gases, while maintaining safeguards against unauthorized hazardous material releases. Collection facilities must exclude vape pens from materials exchange programs that typically allow redistribution of reusable household hazardous products.

These changes operate within California's current household hazardous waste management system, which regulates the collection, transportation, and processing of hazardous materials generated by households. The bill maintains existing requirements for proper containment during transport and facility permits, while adding specific provisions for schools handling confiscated vape pens. Local agencies and school districts implementing these new requirements would not receive state reimbursement, as the changes fall under existing enforcement frameworks for hazardous waste violations.