2016 -- H 7257

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LC003831

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- SANITATION IN FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Lima, Palangio, Maldonado, Fogarty, and Shekarchi

     Date Introduced: January 20, 2016

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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Establishments" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     21-27-12. Outdoor dining -- Dogs permitted. -- (a) A restaurant with an outdoor dining

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area may allow a patron's dog to accompany the patron in the outdoor dining area during the

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hours designated by the owner of the restaurant.

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     (b) The owner of a restaurant:

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     (1) Shall determine the location and the amount of space in the outdoor dining area

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designated for a patron accompanied by a dog;

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     (2) May establish limits on the size and type of dogs and any other limitations relating to

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dogs that may accompany a patron into the outdoor dining area of a restaurant;

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     (3) May deny entry to the restaurant or eject from the restaurant any patron accompanied

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by a dog at the discretion of the owner; and

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     (4) Shall place on permanent display a written notice that is in a typeface that is large

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enough to be easily legible to the average person and that is in a location that is plainly visible to

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the patrons of the restaurant notifying the patrons of the policy of the restaurant allowing dogs in

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the outdoor dining area.

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     (c) A patron accompanied by a dog:

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     (1) Shall not allow the dog to travel through an indoor space of a restaurant to enter or

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exit an outdoor dining area;

 

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     (2) Shall keep the dog on a leash at all times with the patron at the table at which the

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patron is seated;

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     (3) Shall not leave the dog unattended at any time in the restaurant;

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     (4) Shall be an adult who is responsible for the behavior of the dog; and

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     (5) Shall be liable for any damages caused by the dog to the restaurant or any other

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patron of the restaurant.

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     (d) This section shall not affect the right of an individual to use a service animal as

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provided by the Rhode Island general laws.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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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 permit dogs in outdoor dining areas of restaurants under certain

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circumstances. The act would not affect the right of an individual to use a service animal.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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