Download Zipped Amended WordPerfect SB0187S01.ZIP
[Introduced][Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

First Substitute S.B. 187

This document includes Senate Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 3:47 PM by lpoole. -->

Senator Curtis S. Bramble proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
FOOD HANDLER LICENSING AMENDMENTS

             2     
2013 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble

             5     
House Sponsor: Johnny Anderson

             6     

             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the General Sanitation chapter in the Utah Health Code by amending
             10      provisions related to a food handler.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    defines terms;
             14          .    prohibits a person from acting as a food handler for a food service establishment
             15      unless the person successfully completes an approved food handler training program
             16      and holds a valid food handler permit;
             17          .    provides for an approved food handler training program, certificate of completion,
             18      and a food handler permit, including content of the training, testing, and fees;
             19          .    provides that the Department of Health develop certification exam questions,
             20      determine information required to identify each student, and establish rules for
             21      suspending or revoking a food handler permit for cause and for inhibiting fraud;
             22          .    provides that the department in consultation with local health departments shall
             23      approve the content of an approved food handler training program, including
             24      approving instructors and each entity providing the program; and
             25          .    provides for rulemaking by the department.



Text Box

- 2 -
             26
     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             27          None
             28      Other Special Clauses:
             29          None
             30      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             31      REPEALS AND REENACTS:
             32          26-15-5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1981, Chapter 126
             33     

             34      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             35          Section 1. Section 26-15-5 is repealed and reenacted to read:
             36          26-15-5. Requirements for food handlers.
             37          (1) As used in this section:
             38          (a) "Approved food handler training program" means a training program as described
             39      by this section and approved by the department.
             40          (b) "Food handler" means a person who prepares, stores, or serves food for a food
             41      service establishment.
             42          (c) "Food handler permit" means a permit issued by a local health department to allow
             43      a person to work as a food handler.
             44          (d) "Food service establishment" has the same meaning as provided in Section
             45      26-15a-102 .
             46          (e) "Provider" means a person or entity that provides an approved food handler training
             47      program.
             48          (2) A person may not work as a food handler for a food service establishment unless
             49      the person:
             50          (a) successfully completes an approved food handler training program within 14 days
             51      after the day on which the person begins employment that includes food handler services; and
             52          (b) obtains a food handler permit within 30 days after the day on which the person
             53      begins employment that includes food handler services.
             54          (3) An approved food handler training program shall include:
             55          (a) at least 75 minutes of training time;
             56          (b) a certification exam, which requires a passing score of 75% and except as provided



Text Box

- 3 -
             57
     in Subsection (9)(b), consists of:
             58          (i) 40 multiple-choice questions developed by the department, in consultation with
             59      local health departments; and
             60          (ii) four content sections designated by rule of the department with 10 randomly
             61      selected questions for each content section; and
             62          (c) upon completion, the awarding of a certificate of completion that is valid with any
             63      local health department in the state for 30 days after the day on which the certificate is issued:
             64          (i) to a student who:
             65          (A) completes the training; and
             66          (B) passes the certification exam; and
             67          (ii) which certificate of completion:
             68          (A) includes student identifying information determined by department rule; and
             69          (B) is delivered by mail or electronic means.
             70          (4) (a) A person may obtain a food handler permit by:
             71          (i) presenting a valid certificate of completion of an approved food handler training
             72      program and an application, approved by the local health department, to a local health
             73      department; and
             74          (ii) paying a food handler permit fee to the local health department.
             75          (b) A local health department may charge a fee that is reasonable and that reflects the
             76      cost of managing the food safety program.
             77          (5) A person serving as a food handler for a food service establishment shall obtain a
             78      food handler permit:
             79          (a) before handling any food;
             80          (b) within 30 days of initial employment with a food service establishment; and
             81          (c) within seven days of the expiration of an existing food handler permit.
             82          (6) (a) A person who holds a valid food handler permit under this section may serve as
             83      a food handler throughout the state without restriction.
             84          (b) A food handler permit granted after June 30, 2013, is valid for two years from the
             85      date of issuance.
             86          (7) The department, in consultation with local health departments, shall:
             87          (a) approve the content of an approved food handler training program required under



Text Box

- 4 -
Senate Committee Amendments 2-20-2013 lp/pla
             88      Subsection (3);
             89           S. [(b) approve, as qualified, each instructor who will provide classroom based training;]
             90           [ (c) ] (b) .S approve, as qualified, each provider; and
             91           S. [ (d) ] (c) .S in accordance with applicable rules made under Subsection (10), provide a
             91a      means
             92      to authenticate:
             93          (i) documents used in an approved food handler training program;
             94          (ii) the identity of an approved instructor; and
             95          (iii) an approved provider.
             96          (8) An approved food handler training program shall:
             97          (a) provide basic instruction on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's top
             98      five foodborne illness risk factors, including:
             99          (i) improper hot and cold holding temperatures of potentially hazardous food;
             100          (ii) improper cooking temperatures of food;
             101          (iii) dirty or contaminated utensils and equipment;
             102          (iv) poor employee health and hygiene; and
             103          (v) food from unsafe sources;
             104          (b) be offered through:
             105          (i) a trainer-led class;
             106          (ii) the Internet; or
             107          (iii) a combination of a trainer-led class and the Internet;
             108          (c) maintain a system to verify a certificate of completion of an approved food handler
             109      training program issued under Subsection (3) to the department, a local health department, and
             110      a food service establishment; and
             111          (d) provide to the department unrestricted access to classroom training sessions and
             112      online course materials at any time for audit purposes.
             113          (9) (a) A provider that provides an approved food handler training program may charge
             114      a reasonable fee.
             115          (b) Subject to the approval of the department every three years, a provider may use a
             116      certification exam that consists of questions that do not conform with the provisions of
             117      Subsection (3)(b), if the provider:
             118          (i) uses substantially similar questions that adequately test the student's knowledge of



Text Box

- 5 -
             119
     the concepts under Subsection (8)(a) as determined by the department; and
             120          (ii) pays a fee of $2,000 every three years to the department to be deposited into the
             121      General Fund.
             122          (10) (a) Rules by the department related to this section shall be made in accordance
             123      with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             124          (b) The department shall, by rule, establish requirements designed to inhibit fraud for
             125      an approved food handler training program described in this section.
             126          (c) The requirements described in Subsection (10)(b) may include requirements to
             127      ensure that:
             128          (i) an individual has taken the online course or certification exam and not attempted to
             129      allow another individual to complete the course or exam in the individual's place;
             130          (ii) an individual taking the online course or certification exam is focused on training
             131      material throughout the entire training period;
             132          (iii) an individual is actively engaged online during the time the individual is taking the
             133      online course or test;
             134          (iv) if the individual is unable to participate online because of technical difficulties, an
             135      approved food handler training program provides technical support, such as requiring a
             136      telephone number, email, or other method of communication to allow an individual taking the
             137      online course or test to receive assistance;
             138          (v) an approved food handler training program provider has a system to reduce fraud as
             139      to who completes an online course or certification exam, such as requiring a distinct online
             140      certificate with information printed on the certificate that identifies the person taking the online
             141      course or certification exam, or requiring measures to inhibit duplication of a certificate of
             142      completion or a food handler permit;
             143          (vi) the department may audit online courses or certification exams;
             144          (vii) an individual taking an online course or certification exam has the opportunity to
             145      provide an evaluation of the online course or test;
             146          (viii) an approved food handler training program provider track the Internet protocol
             147      address or similar electronic location of an individual who takes an online course or
             148      certification exam;
             149          (ix) an individual who takes an online course or certification exam use an electronic



Text Box

- 6 -
             150
     signature; or
             151          (x) if the approved food handler training program provider learns that a certificate of
             152      completion does not accurately reflect the identity of the individual who took the online course
             153      or certification exam, an approved food handler training program provider invalidates the
             154      certificate of completion.


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]