SB2084

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2084
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to health.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that protecting the health of the State's residents is an important task. To this end, state law authorizes the department of health to inspect various establishments including restaurants that are frequented by members of the public for cleanliness and compliance with health codes.

However, the results of these health inspections are not available to the public online. The legislature further finds that, as a matter of public policy and in order to protect the public's health, it is a fundamental responsibility of the State to allow easy public access to these restaurant inspection reports. The straightforward way to implement public access is to make such reports available online.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of health to provide reports of restaurant inspections online for easy public access and to appropriate funds to the department to enable it to begin providing these reports by July 1, 2009.

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

"§321- Health inspection reports; restaurants; online access. Pursuant to the department's power to establish health rules under section 321‑11(18) relating to restaurants, stands, shops, stores, wagons, vehicles, or other places where food is processed, prepared, stored, distributed, sold, offered for sale, or offered for human consumption or use, no later than July 1, 2009, the department shall make available to the general public online access to the department's health inspection reports of these premises."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the department of health to provide, no later than July 1, 2009, restaurant health inspections reports online for easy public access.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon approval except that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________