Assigned to GOV AS PASSED BY COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2079
food handler certificate; volunteers; limits
Purpose
Adds an 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 three or fewer 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. 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.
3. Makes technical changes. FACT SHEET – Amended
H.B. 2079
Page 2
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Restores the current food handler's certification exception for volunteers at a school activity or
function where food is being handled or served outside of the school's regular food service to
students.
2. Specifies that a person who volunteers three or fewer times in a calendar year, rather than fewer
than three times, at any activity or function where food is being packaged or heated is exempt
from the food handler's certification requirement.
3. Makes conforming changes.
House Action Senate Action
RA 1/24/24 DP 6-0-0-0 GOV 3/13/24 DPA 7-0-1
3
rd
Read 2/1/24 55-0-1-0-4
Prepared by Senate Research
March 13, 2024
JT/MA/slp