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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1734 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2201
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Bradley H. Jones, Jr. and Hannah Kane
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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 relative to the promotion of food donation.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Bradley H. Jones, Jr.20th Middlesex1/17/2023Hannah Kane11th Worcester1/19/2023Nicholas A. Boldyga3rd Hampden1/26/2023Susan Williams Gifford2nd Plymouth1/26/2023F. Jay Barrows1st Bristol1/26/2023Paul K. Frost7th Worcester1/31/2023Kimberly N. Ferguson1st Worcester1/31/2023Paul McMurtry11th Norfolk2/15/2023Brian W. Murray10th Worcester2/18/2023 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1734 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2201
By Representatives Jones of North Reading and Kane of Shrewsbury, a petition (accompanied by
bill, House, No. 2201) of Bradley H. Jones, Jr., Hannah Kane and others relative to authorizing
the Department of Public Health to provide guidance to businesses regarding best practices for
food donation. Public Health.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 2326 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to the promotion of food donation.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. The department of public health shall issue guidance to businesses in the
2commonwealth regarding best practices for food donation, and state and federal policies
3concerning liability protections when donating food.
4 The guidance shall include, but not be limited to, a review of:
5 (i) state and federal liability protection laws in place concerning food donation;
6 (ii) the community benefits of food donation, including, but not limited to, reducing food
7waste, and providing food for those in need;
8 (iii) incentives for businesses to donate surplus food; 2 of 3
9 (iv) federal, state, and local regulations for safe food handling of food donations;
10 (v) best practices of food donation;
11 (vi) the types of food and produce that may be donated by businesses;
12 (vii) and contact information for staff at the department of public health that businesses
13can reach out to with questions regarding food donation best practices and liability protections.
14 SECTION 2. The commissioner of the department of public health shall establish how
15said guidelines regarding food donation by businesses be distributed to Massachusetts
16establishments in a manner that ensures that they are easily accessible. The commissioner shall
17also ensure that said guidelines are posted on the department of public health’s website. The
18guidelines shall be developed, distributed, and posted by the department of public health no later
19than 6 months within the passage of this act.
20 SECTION 3. The department of public health shall conduct educational webinars for
21health agents and local boards of health regarding best practices and strategies for implementing
22effective and safe policies and programs regarding food donation. The commissioner of the
23department of public health shall determine the educational content that shall be included in said
24webinars, and the frequency with which they shall be held, provided that, said webinars are held
25a minimum of 4 times per calendar year.
26 SECTION 4. The department of public health shall develop and implement a state-wide
27educational campaign to conduct targeted outreach to Massachusetts businesses and consumers
28to teach them about the importance of reducing food waste and how they can play a role in 3 of 3
29reducing food waste. The commissioner of the department of public health shall ensure that the
30campaign is developed and implemented no later than 12 months within the passage of this act.