Assigned to GOV FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 2079
food handler certificate; volunteers; limits
Purpose
Modifies the exemption for volunteers from county food handler certification requirements.
Background
Statute stipulates that if a county requires food handler training and a certificate for
employment in the food service industry, the food handler certificate training course must address
the following topics: 1) the relationship between time and temperature with respect to foodborne
illness; 2) the relationship between personal hygiene and food safety; 3) methods of preventing
food contamination in all stages of food handling; 4) procedures of cleaning and sanitizing
equipment and utensils; and 5) problems and potential solutions associated with temperature
control, preventing cross-contamination, housekeeping and maintenance. The county must issue
any certificate or identification card required by the county to a person who demonstrates
successful completion of an accredited food handler certificate training course. A county-issued
food handler certificate or identification card is valid in any county that requires a food handler
certificate or identification card until the person's certificate or identification card expires (A.R.S.
§ 11-269.12).
In 2023, the Legislature prohibited counties from requiring persons who volunteer at a
school activity or function where food is being handled or served outside of the school's regular
food service to obtain a food handler certificate or identification card or participate in a food
handler certificate training course if the person is overseen by a certified food protection manager
or person in charge (A.R.S. § 11-269.28; Laws 2023, Ch. 51).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Exempts persons who volunteer fewer than three times in a calendar year at any activity or
function where food is being packaged or heated from having to obtain a food handler
certificate or identification card or participate in a food handler certificate training course if
the person is overseen by a certified food protection manager or person in charge.
2. Eliminates the exemption from the county food handler certificate requirements for persons
who volunteer at a school activity or function where food is being handled or served outside
of the school's regular food service to students.
3. Defines person in charge as the individual present at a food establishment who is responsible
for the management of the operation of the food establishment at the time of inspection. FACT SHEET
H.B. 2079
Page 2
4. Makes technical changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
RA 1/24/24 DP 6-0-0-0
3
rd
Read 2/1/24 55-0-1-0-4
Prepared by Senate Research
February 26, 2024
JT/MA/slp