4. a. Except in connection with the upgrading of a playground as provided in subsection a. of section 3 of P.L.1999, c.50 (C. 52:27D-123.11), after the effective date of the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this act, no State funding shall be available for the planning, development, or redevelopment of any playground, unless the playground, after completion of the State-funded project, will conform to the applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this act. If, however, State funds have been appropriated to, or allocated for, a playground project prior to the effective date of the regulations but the regulations become effective prior to the completion of the project, that funding shall be maintained, as long as the playground is altered to conform to the rules and regulations to the extent the alterations can be made without adding more than 15% to the project cost.

b. After the date by which an entity is required to conform its playground to satisfy the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this act, no State funding shall be available for the construction, operation, maintenance, or supervision of the playground unless the playground conforms to the applicable regulations adopted pursuant to this act.

L.1999,c.50,s.4.