Jack Davis Restaurant Law

 

 

Florida Coalition For The Homeless 606 W. 4th. Ave. Ste12 Tallahassee, FL 32303 • 1.877.205.0021 “The Jack Davis Florida Restaurant Lending a Helping Hand Act” is on its way to become law! Yesterday, the Florida House of Representatives unanimously passed the “Jack Davis Florida Restaurant Lending a Helping Hand Act” which was also passed by the Florida Senate on March 13. Yesterday’s House vote was on CS/SB 276, which was substitute for HB 99 to ensure the bill passed by both chambers were identical. The new law will take effect on law will become law on July 1, 2008 (barring a veto from the Governor which is not expected). THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to contact your elected officials and showed your support of this bill. YOUR VOICE does make a difference!!! This law is important to our homeless and near homeless neighbors as it clearly allows restaurants to provide prepared food, with limited liability, to non-profit organizations and homeless shelters who will then hand out the food to our hungry neighbors. Many restaurants and public food service establishments have expressed a desire to donate food to homeless service providers/shelters, however most have been reluctant to do so because of the liability that may result. This bill would amend the current statue which, has generally been interpreted to mean individuals or groups, not food service businesses, and extends the current protection from criminal and civil liability to a good faith donor or gleaner of any canned or perishable food apparently fit for human consumption to a charitable or nonprofit organization for free distribution to include all foods that have been prepared at a public food service establishment licensed. Any donor operating under the provisions of this bill must comply with laws regulating health or sanitation. Additionally, this immunity from criminal penalty or civil damages does not apply if an injury is caused by the gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct of the donor or gleaner. Jack Davis, a middle-school student from South Florida contacted his local lawmakers, Representative Ari Porth and Senator Nan Rich to see what could be done to allow restaurants to donate food to nonprofit organizations to provide to hungry people in the state. Lesa Weikel Community Relations Manager PO Box 360181 Tampa, FL 33673-0181 O: (813) 223-6115 F: (813) 223-6178