SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6478

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                  Education, January 24, 2000

Title:  An act relating to food safety standards in schools.

Brief Description:  Developing training requirements for handlers of food in schools.

Sponsors:  Senators McAuliffe, Kohl‑Welles, Goings, Eide, Patterson and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  1/20/2000, 1/24/2000 [DPS, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6478 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Bauer, Brown, Goings, Kohl-Welles and Rasmussen.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senators Finkbeiner, Hochstatter, Swecker and Zarelli.

Staff:  Kelly Simpson (786-7403)

Background:  Under current law, individuals employed in the handling of unwrapped or unpackaged food (Afood service workers@) must first obtain a food and beverage service worker=s permit.  Minimum training requirements for food service workers are established by the state Board of Health.  These requirements apply to food service workers in schools, as currently no specific standards have been established applying only to individuals handling food in schools.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) must adopt rules establishing minimum training and permit requirements for food handlers in public and private schools.  When developing the rules, the superintendent must consult with the Department of Health, local health jurisdictions, representatives of food and nutrition service employees, and representatives of the food service industry.  The rules must exceed the standards required for the issuance of a food and beverage service worker=s permit.

SPI=s authority to adopt rules under the act expires two years after the effective date of the act.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  SPI must also consult with representatives of food and nutrition service employees.  SPI=s rulemaking authority expires after two years.  A technical change was made to correct a drafting error.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Children are more susceptible to food-borne illnesses.  Therefore, stricter  food safety standards are needed for food handlers in schools.  This bill would require these higher standards.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  David Westberg, Stationary Engineers; Randy Dorn, PSE; Betty Marcelynas, OSPI.