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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS - FOOD DONATIONS

     Introduced By: Senators Lombardi, McCaffrey, Felag, Ciccone, and Lombardo

     Date Introduced: January 15, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 21-34 of the General Laws entitled "Food Donations" is hereby

repealed in its entirety.

CHAPTER 21-34

Food Donations

     21-34-1. Immunity from liability for food donors.

     A person, or organization including, but not limited to, a farmer, a processor, distributor,

wholesaler, or retailer of food, or restaurant, or accredited culinary arts school, who in good faith

donates food, including surplus, prepared food that has been maintained at a safe temperature,

which appears to be fit for human consumption at the time it is donated to a bona fide charitable

or nonprofit organization for the use or distribution to the needy shall not be liable for civil

damages or criminal penalties for any injury or illness resulting from the nature, age, condition, or

packaging of the donated food unless the injury or illness is a direct result of the intentional

misconduct or recklessness of the donor.

     21-34-2. Immunity from liability for distributors.

     A bona fide nonprofit or charitable organization which in good faith receives, prepares

and distributes to the needy, without charge, food which appears to be fit for human consumption

at the time it is distributed, including food prepared on the premises of the organization, shall not

be liable for civil damages or criminal penalties for any injury or illness resulting from the nature,

age, condition, or packaging of the food unless the injury or illness is a direct result of the

intentional misconduct or recklessness of the organization.

     21-34-3. Authority of department of health not restricted.

     Nothing contained in this chapter is intended to restrict the authority of the department of

health to regulate or ban the use of donated food.

     SECTION 2. Title 21 of the General Laws entitled "FOOD AND DRUGS" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 34.1

RHODE ISLAND FOOD DONATION ACT

     21-34.1-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known, and may be cited as "The Rhode Island Food Donation

Act."

     21-34.1-2. Definitions.

     For the purposes of this chapter:

     (1) "Director" means director of department of health.

     (2) "Enforcement officers" means authorized agents of the director responsible for

inspecting food, food establishments, dairies or foodborne disease outbreaks.

     (3) "Food bank" means a surplus food collection and distribution system operated and

established to assist in bringing donated food to nonprofit charitable organizations and

individuals for the purposes of reducing hunger and supplying nutritional needs.

     (4) "Food facility" means a food establishment that sells food for human consumption to

the general public and shall include nonprofit food distributors, hospitals, and school and

educational facilities.

     (5) "Gleaner" means a person who harvests for free distribution to the needy, or for

donation to a nonprofit organization for ultimate distribution to the needy, an agricultural crop

that has been donated by the owner.

     (6) "Person" means an individual.

     21-34.1-3. Immunity from liability for food donors.

     (a) A person, gleaner, or food facility may donate food to a food bank or to any other

nonprofit charitable organization for distribution to persons free of charge. Food facilities may

donate food directly to end recipients for consumption.

     (b) Except for injury resulting from gross negligence or intentional misconduct in the

preparation or handling of donated food, no person, gleaner, or food facility that donates food that

is fit for human consumption at the time it was donated to a nonprofit charitable organization or

food bank shall be liable for any damage or injury resulting from the consumption of the donated

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food. Food facilities may donate food directly to end recipients for consumption.

     (c) The immunity from civil liability provided by this chapter applies regardless of

compliance with any laws, regulations, or ordinances regulating the packaging or labeling of

food, and regardless of compliance with any laws, regulations, or ordinances regulating the

storage or handling of the food by the donee after the donation of the food. The donation of

nonperishable food that is fit for human consumption but that has exceeded the labeled shelf life

date recommended by the manufacturer is protected under the Rhode Island food donation act.

The donation of perishable food that is fit for human consumption but that has exceeded the

labeled shelf life date recommended by the manufacturer is protected under the Rhode Island

food donation act if the person that distributes the food to the end recipient makes a good faith

evaluation that the food to be donated is wholesome.

     (d) A nonprofit charitable organization or a food bank that, in good faith, receives and

distributes food without charge that is fit for human consumption at the time it was distributed is

not liable for an injury or death due to the food unless the injury or death is a direct result of the

gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the organization.

     (e) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the ability of a person, gleaner, or

food facility to donate food.

     (f) A person or gleaner engaged in the business of processing, distributing, or selling an

agricultural product may donate, free of charge, a product that is in a condition that it may be

used as food for human consumption to a nonprofit charitable organization within the state. Food

facilities may donate food directly to end recipients for consumption. The donation of

nonperishable food that is fit for human consumption, but that has exceeded the labeled shelf life

date recommended by the manufacturer is protected under the Rhode Island food donation act.

The donation of perishable food that is fit for human consumption, but that has exceeded the

labeled shelf life date recommended by the manufacturer is protected under the Rhode Island

food donation act if the person that distributes the food to the end recipient makes a good faith

evaluation that the food to be donated is wholesome.

     (g) To assist in accomplishing the purposes of this chapter, the director may redistribute

donated agricultural products to organizations operating pursuant to this chapter.

     21-34.1-4. Expiration dates.

     A person, gleaner, or food facility that donates food as permitted by law shall not be

subject to civil or criminal liability or penalty for violation of any laws, regulations, or ordinances

regulating the labeling or packaging of the donated product or, with respect to any other laws,

regulations, or ordinances, for a violation occurring after the time of the donation. The donation

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of nonperishable food that is fit for human consumption but that has exceeded the labeled shelf

life date recommended by the manufacturer is protected under the Rhode Island food donation

act. The donation of perishable food that is fit for human consumption but that has exceeded the

labeled shelf life date recommended by the manufacturer is protected under the Rhode Island

food donation act if the person that distributes the food to the end recipient makes a good faith

evaluation that the food to be donated is wholesome.

     21-34.1-5. Public education.

     In implementing this chapter, enforcement officers shall promote the recovery of food fit

for human consumption during their normal, routine inspections. Promotion shall include, but not

be limited to, newsletters, bulletins, and handouts that inform retail food facility operators about

the protections from civil and criminal liability when donating food.

     21-34.1-6. Implementing rules and regulations.

     The director shall adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this chapter.

     SECTION 3. 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 - FOOD DONATIONS

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     This act would repeal the current chapter of the general laws regarding immunity for food

donors to food banks, and would adopt a new chapter with comprehensive immunity provisions

for persons involved in donating food to food banks.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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