Requires the State to provide facilities with permits to individuals or organizations to prepare and provide food in a safe environment for distribution to the homeless.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the plight of the hungry and homeless is of growing concern to people all over the world, and that Hawaii is no exception. While it is of great import to regulate food distribution, in order to ensure the safety and quality of food provided to all of our residents, including the needy and homeless, we must also allow for, even support, efforts to provide food to the homeless. Many individuals and charitable organizations have in the past and would like in the future to provide meals to the homeless in our community; however, current permitting laws present unnecessary obstacles to feeding our homeless.

Therefore, the legislature further finds that in an effort to remove the obstacles to feeding the homeless, the State should make available its facilities that have food preparations permits, such as public schools and public hospitals, to individuals and other charitable organizations for the provision of food to the homeless. This will ensure that individuals and organizations will be able to feed the homeless while preparing food in kitchens that are safe.

SECTION 2. Chapter 328, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§328-   State facilities for food preparation. (a) The State shall provide individuals and organizations that prepare and distribute food to the homeless, without compensation, access to state facilities that are approved for the preparation of food.

(b) The director shall adopt any necessary rules to provide for the utilization of state facilities for purposes of this section."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.