HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	240
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

urging the department of health to exempt the preparation of food for charitable noncommercial purposes from certain department of health food safety REGULATIONS, provided that certain conditions are met.

     WHEREAS, food and public safety are of the utmost importance to the people of Hawaii as well as the equitable, just, and efficient distribution of food to those people who are in the greatest need; and

     WHEREAS, the cost of living in Hawaii is rated among the highest in the nation, including the average cost of rent, electricity, and food; and

     WHEREAS, noble efforts to provide prepared food to those in need are often stifled due to the cost of complying with food safety regulations; and

     WHEREAS, the shared values of the people of Hawaii are deeply rooted in community and assistance for the common good, and thus regulations governing charitable activities should be structured to encourage people's desire to pursue charitable purposes; and

     WHEREAS, the preparation of food for charitable noncommercial purposes is different from the preparation of food for commercial purposes and therefore should be regulated differently; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Health is requested to exempt the preparation of food for charitable noncommercial purposes from certain Department of Health food safety regulations, provided that certain conditions are met; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in exempting the preparation of food for charitable noncommercial purposes, the Department of Health is requested to specifically define what may be considered a "charitable purpose" and a "noncommercial purpose"; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to consider the specific conditions that must be met in order for the preparation of food for charitable noncommercial purposes to be exempted from Department of Health food safety regulations, including:

     (1)  Whether the person or entity is preparing and serving food for bona fide charitable purposes;

     (2)  Whether the person or entity is preparing and serving food for noncommercial purposes; and

     (3)  Whether all persons with direct contact with food in the raw or prepared state have had no less than two hours of food safety and handling training, provided by the Department of Health Sanitation Branch; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to identify the food safety regulations that will not apply to the preparation of food for charitable noncommercial purposes; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Food Preparation; Charitable, Noncommercial Purposes; Exempt