2014 -- H 8284

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LC005805

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS - SANITATION IN FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

     Introduced By: Representatives Amore, Trillo, McNamara, Marshall, and Serpa

     Date Introduced: June 05, 2014

     Referred To: House Small Business

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 21-27-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 21-27 entitled "Sanitation

in Food Establishments" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     21-27-10. Registration of food businesses. -- (a) No person shall operate a food business

as defined in section §21-27-1(8) unless he or she annually registers the business with the state

director of health; provided, that food businesses conducted by nonprofit organizations, hospitals,

public institutions, farmers markets, roadside farmstands, or any municipality shall be exempt

from payment of any required fee.

      (b) In order to set the registration renewal dates so that all activities for each

establishment can be combined on one registration instead of on several registrations, the

registration renewal date shall be set by the department of health. The registration period shall be

for twelve (12) months commencing on the registration renewal date,. and the Any renewal

registration fee shall be at the full, annual rate regardless of the date of renewal. Any fee for a

first time application shall have the registration rate pro-rated based upon the application or the

date of issuance of registration. If the registration renewal date is changed, the department may

make an adjustment to the fees of registered establishments, not to exceed the annual registration

fee, in order to implement the changes in registration renewal date. Registrations issued under this

chapter may be suspended or revoked for cause. Any registration or license shall be posted in a

place accessible and prominently visible to an agent of the director.

      (c) Registration with the director of health shall be based upon satisfactory compliance

with all laws and regulations of the director applicable to the food business for which registration

is required.

      (d) The director of health is authorized to adopt regulations necessary for the

implementation of this chapter.

      (e) Classification for registration shall be as follows:

      (1) In-state and out-of-state food processors that sell food in Rhode Island (Wholesale)

      (2) Food processors (Retail)

      (3) Food service establishments:

      (i) 50 seats or less

      (ii) More than 50 seats

      (iii) Mobile food service units

      (iv) Industrial caterer or food vending machine commissary

      (v) Cultural heritage educational facility

      (4) Vending machine sites or location:

      (i) Three (3) or less machines

      (ii) Four (4) to ten (10) machines

      (iii) Eleven (11) or more machines

      (5) Retail markets:

      (i) 1 to 2 cash registers

      (ii) 3 to 5 cash registers

      (iii) 6 or more cash registers

      (6) Retail food peddler (meat, seafood, dairy, and frozen dessert products)

      (7) Food warehouses

      (f) In no instance, where an individual food business has more than one activity eligible

under this chapter for state registration within a single location, shall the business be required to

pay more than a single fee for the one highest classified activity listed in subsection (e) of this

section; provided, that, where several separate but identically classified activities are located

within the same building and under the management and jurisdiction of one person, one fee shall

be required. In each of the instances in this subsection, each activity shall be separately registered.

      (g) Fees for registration of the above classifications shall be as set forth in section §23-1-

54.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC005805

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS - SANITATION IN FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

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     This act would establish a procedure for the initial payment and renewal registration fees

for the operation of a food business.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005805

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