Amendment #685 to H5500

Food Truck Permitting

Mr. Vaughn of Wrentham moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:

SECTION XX. Chapter 94 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 328 the following section:—

Section 328A. (a) The Department of Public Health, in consultation with the Division of Occupational Licensure and the Massachusetts Municipal Association, shall establish a Universal Food Truck Licensure and Reciprocity Program. The purpose of said program shall be to streamline the mobile food vendor permitting process and promote small business growth by reducing redundant municipal inspections and fees.

(b) The Department shall develop a Centralized Digital Permitting Portal. This portal shall allow a mobile food vendor to:

1.Submit a single application for a statewide mobile food vendor safety certificate;

2.Upload proof of a base-of-operation (commissary) agreement and standard health inspections; and

3.Notify participating municipalities of their intent to operate within said jurisdiction.

(c) A municipality that elects to participate in the reciprocity program shall recognize a valid mobile food vendor permit issued by another participating municipality or the Department as satisfying local health and safety inspection requirements, provided that the vendor remains in compliance with state-mandated sanitary codes. Participating municipalities may still enforce local zoning, parking, and public safety regulations.

(d) The Department shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement this section, including the establishment of a standardized fee structure for the digital portal, with a portion of said fees being redistributed to participating municipalities to offset administrative costs.