ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
food handler certificates; training; exemption
Purpose
Prohibits a county from requiring a volunteer at a school activity or function where food is being handled or served to students to obtain a food handler certificate or identification card or participate in a food handler training course.
Background
A county may require, for employment in the food industry, a food handler certificate and training that meets American Society for Testing and Materials standards and is completed within a county-prescribed time period. A county-issued food handler certificate or identification card is valid in any county that requires certification or an identification card until the expiration date and must be renewed as required by the county. A food handler certificate training course may be offered by any means available and facilitated by a live trainer, remote trainer or a certified food service sanitation manager. A certificate training course must address outlined topics relating to the food safety, sanitization and contamination prevention (A.R.S. § 11-269.12).
Department of Health Services rules governing food establishments require a food establishment permit holder to be the person in charge, unless another person in charge is designated. A person in charge is 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. A person in charge must be a certified food protection manager who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test that is part of an accredited program (A.A.C. R9-8-101; FDA Food Code, 2017).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits a county from requiring a person to obtain a food handler certificate or identification card or participate in a food handler certificate training course if the person:
a) volunteers at a school activity or function where food is being handled or served outside of the school's regular food service to students; and
b) is overseen by a certified food protection manager or person in charge.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
RA 1/25/23 DP 7-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/21/23 60-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 6, 2023
LB/KT/slp