SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1867

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Health & Long-Term Care, February 19, 1998

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

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for food sanitation and safety.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Backlund, Cody and Sullivan; by request of Department of Health).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  3/25/97, 4/1/97 [DP]; 2/19/98 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Fairley and Wojahn.

Staff:  Rhoda Jones (786-7198)

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 are intended to improve prevention of foodborne illnesses.

Summary of Amended 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 specifies the activities that 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 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.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  The amount of time for rulemaking was extended for one year.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This bill is needed to protect the public against foodborne illnesses.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Bill White, DOH (pro).