SENATE HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 81

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 3, 2019

      The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 81.

      This bill requires that retail food establishments donate surplus unused baked goods and surplus canned and packaged goods close to the retail sale date to local nonprofits and charities if the retail food establishments do not already make such donations.  This bill would apply to any operation that stores, prepares packages, serves, vends, or otherwise provides food for human consumption, and includes restaurants, catering operations that provide food directly to consumers, markets, vending locations, and institutions.  Such donors would have immunity from liability under State law, the “Food Bank Good Samaritan Act,” P.L.1982, c.178 (C.24:4A-1 et seq.).

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2018-2019 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.