2019 -- S 0202

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LC001128

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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 - SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS

     

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

     Date Introduced: January 31, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 27.2

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SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS

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     21-27.2-1. Definitions.

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     As used in this chapter:

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     (1) “Food service establishment” shall have the meaning set forth in § 21-27-1(9).

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

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

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

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

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

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     21-27.2-2. Prohibited practices exception.

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

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unless requested by the consumer.

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     21-27.2-3. Penalties.

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

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

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

 

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     21-27.2-4. Enforcement.

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

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necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

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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 - SINGLE-USE PLASTIC STRAWS

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

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single-use plastic straw, unless the consumer requests such a straw. The first and second violation

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of this statute would result in a notice of violation, and any subsequent violations would be

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punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), not to exceed three hundred dollars ($300)

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annually.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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