H-2336

AN ACT Relating to food and beverage service worker permits; amending RCW 69.06.010, 69.06.020, 69.06.030, and 69.06.050; adding a new section to chapter 69.06 RCW; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 69.06.010 and 1987 c 223 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

It shall be unlawful for any person to be employed in the handling of unwrapped or unpackaged food unless he or she shall furnish and place on file with the person in charge of such establishment, a food and beverage service worker's permit, as prescribed by the state board of health. Such permit shall be kept on file by the employer or kept by the employee on his or her person and open for inspection at all reasonable hours by authorized public health officials. Such permit shall be returned to the employee upon termination of employment. Initial permits, including limited duty permits, shall be valid for two years from the date of issuance. Subsequent renewal permits shall be valid for ((~~five~~)) three years from the date of issuance, except an employee may be granted a renewal permit that is valid for five years from the date of issuance if the employee demonstrates that he or she has obtained additional food safety training prior to renewal of the permit. Rules establishing minimum training requirements must be adopted by the state board of health and developed by the department of health in conjunction with local health jurisdictions and representatives of the food service industry.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 69.06 RCW to read as follows:

The local health officer may issue a limited duty permit when necessary to reasonably accommodate a person with a disability. The limited duty permit must specify the activities that the permit holder may perform, and must include only activities having low public health risk.

Sec. 3. RCW 69.06.020 and 1987 c 223 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

The permit provided in RCW 69.06.010 or section 2 of this act shall be valid in every city, town and county in the state, for the period for which it is issued, and no other health certificate shall be required of such employees by any municipal corporation or political subdivision of the state. The cost of the permit shall be uniform throughout the state and shall be in that amount set by the state board of health. The cost of the permit shall reflect actual costs of food worker training and education, administration of the program, and testing of applicants. The state board of health shall periodically review the costs associated with the permit program and adjust the fee accordingly. The board shall also ensure that the fee is not set at an amount that would prohibit low-income persons from obtaining permits.

Sec. 4. RCW 69.06.030 and 1957 c 197 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

It shall be unlawful for any person afflicted with any contagious or infectious disease that may be transmitted by food or beverage to work in or about any place where unwrapped or unpackaged food and/or beverage products are prepared or sold, or offered for sale for human consumption and it shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to employ a person so afflicted. Nothing in this section eliminates any authority or requirement to control or suppress communicable diseases pursuant to chapter 70.05 RCW and RCW 43.20.050(2)(e).

Sec. 5. RCW 69.06.050 and 1957 c 197 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

Individuals under this chapter ((~~shall have thirty days from commencement of employment to secure health permits~~)) must obtain a food and beverage service workers' permit within fourteen days from commencement of employment. Individuals under this chapter may work for up to fourteen calendar days without a food and beverage service workers' permit, provided that they receive information or training regarding safe food handling practices from the employer prior to commencement of employment. Documentation that the information or training has been provided to the individual must be kept on file by the employer.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Section 1 of this act takes effect July 1, 1998.