2020 -- S 2794

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LC005273

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS - SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS

     Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, Sosnowski, Miller, DiPalma, and Euer

     Date Introduced: March 12, 2020

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 21 of the General Laws entitled "FOOD AND DRUGS" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 27.2

SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS

     21-27.2-1. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter:

     (1) “Food service establishment” shall have the meaning set forth in § 21-27-1.

     (2) “Single-use plastic straw” means a single-use, disposable tube made predominantly of

plastic derived from either petroleum or a biologically based polymer, such as corn or other plant

sources, used to transfer a beverage from a container to the mouth of the person drinking the

beverage. “Single-use plastic straw” does not include a straw made from non-plastic materials,

including, but not limited to, paper, pasta, sugar cane, wood, or bamboo.

     21-27.2-2. Prohibited practices exception.

     A food service establishment shall not provide a single-use plastic straw to a consumer

unless requested by the consumer or selected by the consumer from a self-service dispenser.

     21-27.2-3. Penalties.

     The first and second violation of this chapter shall result in a notice of violation, and any

subsequent violation shall be punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each violation

by the service establishment, but not to exceed three hundred dollars ($300) annually.

     21-27.2-4. Enforcement.

     The director of health shall promulgate and adopt such rules and regulations as may be

necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

     21-27.2-5. Preemption.

     The regulation of single-use plastic straws within food-service establishments is preempted

to the state. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to abrogate or affect the provisions of any

lawful ordinance, regulation, or resolution adopted prior to the effective date of this chapter.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on November 1, 2020.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS - SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS

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     This act would prohibit a food service establishment from providing a consumer with a

single-use plastic straw, unless the straw is from a self-service dispenser or the consumer requests

such a straw. The first and second violation of this statute would result in a notice of violation, and

any subsequent violations would be punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), not to

exceed three hundred dollars ($300) annually.

     This act would take effect on November 1, 2020.

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