HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 285        FILED ON: 1/9/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1997

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Louis L. Kafka

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act protecting potluck events..

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Louis L. Kafka

8th Norfolk

 

James E. Timilty

Bristol and Norfolk

1/30/2013

Carolyn C. Dykema

8th Middlesex

 

John H. Rogers

12th Norfolk

 

James J. Dwyer

30th Middlesex

 

Cory Atkins

14th Middlesex

 

Colleen M. Garry

36th Middlesex

 

Aaron Vega

5th Hampden

 

Christine E. Canavan

10th Plymouth

 

Denise Andrews

2nd Franklin

 

Michael O. Moore

Second Worcester

 


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 285        FILED ON: 1/9/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1997

By Mr. Kafka of Stoughton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1997) of Louis L. Kafka and others for legislation to regulate the sharing of foods at potluck events, so-called.  Public Health.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

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An Act protecting potluck events..

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Chapter 94 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, after section 328 the following section:-

Section 328A. Potluck Events

Section 382A. (a)  As used in this section, “potluck event” shall have the following meaning:-

An event that meets all of the following conditions: (1) people are gathered to share food at the event; (2) there is no compensation provided to people for bringing food to the event; (3) there is no charge for admission to the event; (4) there is no charge for any food or beverage provided at the event; (5) the event is not conducted for commercial purposes; (6) the participants at the event will be informed that neither the food nor the facilities have been inspected by the state or a local public health department.

(b)  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, neither the department of public health nor any local board of health may regulate the serving of food that is brought to a potluck event sponsored by a group of individuals or by a religious, charitable, or nonprofit organization by individuals attending the potluck event for consumption at the potluck event.  Individuals who are not members of a group or organization sponsoring a potluck event may attend the potluck event and consume the food at the event.  A business establishment dealing in the sale of food items may not sponsor a potluck event.  Potluck event food may not be brought into the kitchen of a business establishment dealing in the sale of food.