HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1867

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to food and beverage service worker permits.

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for food sanitation and safety.

Sponsors:  Representatives Backlund, Cody and Sullivan; by request of Department of Health.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care:  2/21/97, 2/27/97 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Dyer, Chairman; Backlund, Vice Chairman; Skinner, Vice Chairman; Cody, Ranking Minority Member; Murray, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson; Conway; Parlette; Wood and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Sherstad.

Staff:  Bill Hagens (786-7131).

Background:  Because of an increase in the incidents of foodborne diseases, e.g., E. Coli and Salmonella, the Department of Health has identified a number of changes in current law that will improve prevention of foodborne illnesses.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Beginning July 1, 1998, the renewal period for food and beverage workers= permits is reduced from five to three years, unless the employee obtains additional food safety training.

A limited-duty permit for disabled people is created.  The local health officer will specify the activities which the permit holder may perform.  This permit is recognized in all counties.

It is specified that persons with contagious or infectious diseases that may be transmitted by food or beverage may not work in places where unwrapped or unpackaged food or beverages are prepared, consumed or sold.  Health officers, by virtue of law, already restrict people with contagious diseases such as tuberculosis or chicken pox, which are not transmitted by food, from contact with the public in general.

The grace period to obtain a food and beverage service workers= permit is reduced from 30 to 14 days.  Employers are required to provide information or training regarding safe food handling practices to employees prior to employment.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The permit renewal period is changed to three instead of two years.  The limited-duty permit is recognized in all counties.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed except for section 1 which takes effect on July 1, 1998.

Testimony For:  The bill is necessary to improve the prevention of foodborne illnesses.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Eric Slagle, Department of Health (pro); and Don Leak, Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials (pro).