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Second Substitute S.B. 187

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, a 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 exam questions, determine
             20      information required to identify each student, establish rules for suspending or
             21      revoking a food handler permit for cause, and establish rules for preventing 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 each entity providing the program;
             25          .    requires that an instructor of an approved food handler training program be


             26      registered with a local health department;
             27          .    provides for department approval of alternative test questions requested by an
             28      approved food handler training provider;
             29          .    provides for rulemaking by the department.
             30      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             31          None
             32      Other Special Clauses:
             33          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2013.
             34      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             35      REPEALS AND REENACTS:
             36          26-15-5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1981, Chapter 126
             37     
             38      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             39          Section 1. Section 26-15-5 is repealed and reenacted to read:
             40          26-15-5. Requirements for food handlers.
             41          (1) As used in this section:
             42          (a) "Approved food handler training program" means a training program described by
             43      this section and approved by the department.
             44          (b) "Food handler" means a person who works with unpackaged food, food equipment
             45      or utensils, or food-contact surfaces for a food service establishment.
             46          (c) "Food handler permit" means a permit issued by a local health department to allow
             47      a person to work as a food handler.
             48          (d) "Food service establishment" has the same meaning as provided in Section
             49      26-15a-102 .
             50          (e) "Provider" means a person or entity that provides an approved food handler training
             51      program.
             52          (2) A person may not work as a food handler for a food service establishment unless
             53      the person:
             54          (a) successfully completes an approved food handler training program within 14 days
             55      after the day on which the person begins employment that includes food handler services; and
             56          (b) obtains a food handler permit within 30 days after the day on which the person


             57      begins employment that includes food handler services.
             58          (3) An approved food handler training program shall include:
             59          (a) at least 75 minutes of training time;
             60          (b) an exam, which requires a passing score of 75% and, except as provided in
             61      Subsection (11)(b), consists of:
             62          (i) 40 multiple-choice questions developed by the department, in consultation with
             63      local health departments; and
             64          (ii) four content sections designated by rule of the department with 10 randomly
             65      selected questions for each content section; and
             66          (c) upon completion, the awarding of a certificate of completion that is valid with any
             67      local health department in the state for 30 days after the day on which the certificate is issued:
             68          (i) to a student who:
             69          (A) completes the training; and
             70          (B) passes the exam; and
             71          (ii) which certificate of completion:
             72          (A) includes student identifying information determined by department rule; and
             73          (B) is delivered by mail or electronic means.
             74          (4) (a) A person may obtain a food handler permit by:
             75          (i) providing a valid certificate of completion of an approved food handler training
             76      program and an application, approved by the local health department, to a local health
             77      department; and
             78          (ii) paying a food handler permit fee to the local health department.
             79          (b) A local health department may charge a food handler permit fee that is reasonable
             80      and that reflects the cost of managing the food safety program.
             81          (5) A person working as a food handler for a food service establishment shall obtain a
             82      food handler permit:
             83          (a) before handling any food;
             84          (b) within 30 days of initial employment with a food service establishment; and
             85          (c) within seven days of the expiration of an existing food handler permit.
             86          (6) (a) A person who holds a valid food handler permit under this section may serve as
             87      a food handler throughout the state without restriction.


             88          (b) A food handler permit granted after June 30, 2013, is valid for three years from the
             89      date of issuance.
             90          (7) A person may not serve as an instructor of an approved food handler training
             91      program, unless the person is registered with a local health department as an instructor.
             92          (8) The department, in consultation with local health departments, shall:
             93          (a) approve the content of an approved food handler training program required under
             94      Subsection (3);
             95          (b) approve, as qualified, each provider; and
             96          (c) in accordance with applicable rules made under Subsection (12), provide a means to
             97      authenticate:
             98          (i) documents used in an approved food handler training program;
             99          (ii) the identity of an approved instructor; and
             100          (iii) an approved provider.
             101          (9) An approved food handler training program shall:
             102          (a) provide basic instruction on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's top
             103      five foodborne illness risk factors, including:
             104          (i) improper hot and cold holding temperatures of potentially hazardous food;
             105          (ii) improper cooking temperatures of food;
             106          (iii) dirty or contaminated utensils and equipment;
             107          (iv) poor employee health and hygiene; and
             108          (v) food from unsafe sources;
             109          (b) be offered through:
             110          (i) a trainer-led class;
             111          (ii) the Internet; or
             112          (iii) a combination of a trainer-led class and the Internet;
             113          (c) maintain a system to verify a certificate of completion of an approved food handler
             114      training program issued under Subsection (3) to the department, a local health department, and
             115      a food service establishment; and
             116          (d) provide to the department unrestricted access to classroom training sessions and
             117      online course materials at any time for audit purposes.
             118          (10) (a) A provider that provides an approved food handler training program may


             119      charge a reasonable fee.
             120          (b) If a person or an entity is not approved by the department to provide an approved
             121      food handler training program, the person or entity may not represent, in connection with the
             122      person's or entity's name or business, including in advertising, that the person or entity is a
             123      provider of an approved food handler training program or otherwise represent that a program
             124      offered by the person or entity will qualify an individual to work as a food handler in the state.
             125          (11) (a) Subject to the approval of the department every three years, a provider may use
             126      an exam that consists of questions that do not conform with the provisions of Subsection
             127      (3)(b), if:
             128          (i) the provider complies with the provisions of this Subsection (11);
             129          (ii) the provider pays a fee every three years to the department, which fee shall be
             130      determined by the department and shall reflect the cost of the review of the alternative test
             131      questions; and
             132          (iii) an independent instructional design and testing expert provides a written report to
             133      the department containing a positive recommendation based on the expert's analysis as
             134      described in Subsection 11(b).
             135          (b) (i) A provider may request approval of a different bank of test questions other than
             136      the questions developed under Subsection (3) by submitting to the department a proposed bank
             137      of at least 200 test questions organized by learning objective in accordance with Subsection
             138      (9)(a).
             139          (ii) A provider proposing a different bank of test questions under this Subsection (11)
             140      shall contract with an independent instructional design and testing expert approved by the
             141      department at the provider's expense to analyze the provider's bank of test questions to ensure
             142      the questions:
             143          (A) effectively measure the applicant's knowledge of the required learning objectives;
             144      and
             145          (B) meet the appropriate testing standards for question structure.
             146          (c) If the department provides written notice to a provider that any test question of the
             147      provider's approved exam under this Subsection (11) inadequately tests the required learning
             148      objectives, the provider shall make required changes to the question within 30 days after the
             149      day on which written notice is received by the provider.


             150          (d) A food handler exam offered by a provider may be:
             151          (i) a written exam;
             152          (ii) an online exam; or
             153          (iii) an oral exam, if circumstances require, including when an applicant's language or
             154      reading abilities interfere with taking a written or online exam.
             155          (e) A provider shall routinely rotate test questions from the test question bank, change
             156      the order of test questions in tests, and change the order of multiple-choice answers in test
             157      questions to discourage cheating.
             158          (12) (a) When exercising rulemaking authority under this section the department shall
             159      comply with the requirements of Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             160          (b) The department shall, by rule, establish requirements designed to inhibit fraud for
             161      an approved food handler training program described in this section.
             162          (c) The requirements described in Subsection (12)(b) may include requirements to
             163      ensure that:
             164          (i) an individual does not attempt to complete the program or exam in another
             165      individual's place;
             166          (ii) an individual taking the approved food handler training program is focused on
             167      training material and actively engaged throughout the training period;
             168          (iii) if the individual is unable to participate online because of technical difficulties, an
             169      approved food handler training program provides technical support, such as requiring a
             170      telephone number, email, or other method of communication to allow an individual taking the
             171      online course or test to receive assistance;
             172          (iv) an approved food handler training program provider maintains a system to reduce
             173      fraud as to who completes an approved food handler training program, such as requiring a
             174      distinct online certificate with information printed on the certificate that identifies a person
             175      taking an online course or exam, or requiring measures to inhibit duplication of a certificate of
             176      completion or of a food handler permit;
             177          (v) the department may audit an approved food handler training program;
             178          (vi) an individual taking an online course or certification exam has the opportunity to
             179      provide an evaluation of the online course or test;
             180          (vii) an approved food handler training program provider track the Internet protocol


             181      address or similar electronic location of an individual who takes an online course or
             182      certification exam;
             183          (viii) an individual who takes an online course or exam uses an electronic signature; or
             184          (ix) if the approved food handler training program provider learns that a certificate of
             185      completion does not accurately reflect the identity of the individual who took the online course
             186      or certification exam, an approved food handler training program provider invalidates the
             187      certificate of completion.
             188          Section 2. Effective date.
             189          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2013.


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