HB3408

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	3408
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that some communities have been impacted by problems associated with food distribution by charitable organizations that travel to residential communities and set up temporary venues to distribute food. Some of the problems include traffic, parking, trespassing, public urination, littering, and an increase in crime. Although these charitable organizations are providing a great service to those in need, the needs of the communities in which the food is being distributed should also be considered.

The purpose of this Act is to establish minimal guidelines by which food distribution centers should abide to ensure that food recipients and the surrounding community are safe and secure.

SECTION 2. Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§321- Food distribution sites; accessibility. (a) Any food distribution center shall, when establishing a temporary site from which to distribute food for charitable purposes, ensure that:

(1) Adequate parking is available for food recipients to pick up food;

(2) Restrooms are available to food recipients;

(3) Distribution hours are minimally disruptive to the surrounding community;

(4) Sites are at convenient locations, preferably in commercial centers, and are easily accessible to food recipients; provided that the commercial centers are consulted and consent to food distribution by the food distribution center; and

(5) Any trash resulting from the food distribution is removed prior to the departure of the food distribution center and the area from which the food was distributed is as clean as it was upon arrival of the food distribution center.

(b) For the purposes of this section, "food distribution center" means a temporary site at which any charitable organization as defined under section 467B-1, and any agencies or organizations that the charitable organization collaborates with, distributes food to a community."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

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

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________