STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2020 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ERIC HOUGHTALING
District 11 (Monmouth)
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
Assemblyman PARKER SPACE
District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)
SYNOPSIS
Permits pet dogs in farmers markets under certain circumstances.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning pet dogs at farmers markets and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7 of P.L.1947, c.177 (C.26:1A-7) or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto to the contrary, an owner or operator of an indoor or outdoor farmers market may permit pet dogs in a farmers market, provided that:
(1) pet dogs are required to be on a leash or confined in a pet carrier and under a person's control;
(2) pet dogs are prohibited from areas in which food is prepared;
(3) pet dogs are not allowed on seats or tables in dining areas in the farmers market;
(4) employees who handle or prepare food are prohibited from having direct contact with pet dogs while on duty, and a food service employee who does have such prohibited direct contact shall be required to wash the employee's hands in accordance with State public health and sanitation requirements;
(5) dining areas in the farmers market are kept clean, and surfaces that have been contaminated by dog excrement or other bodily fluids shall be cleaned and sanitized; and
(6) the owner or operator of the farmers market ensures compliance with local ordinances related to public nuisance and sanitation.
b. Each owner or operator of an indoor or outdoor farmers market shall post signage on the premises of the farmers market notifying the public if pet dogs are permitted in the farmers market and the guidelines to be followed for the pet dog to be allowed in the farmers market.
c. The provisions of this section shall be enforced in the same manner as the State Sanitary Code adopted pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1947, c.177 (C.26:1A-7).
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill permits pet dogs in indoor and outdoor farmers markets under certain circumstances.
Specifically, the bill permits the owner or operator of an indoor or outdoor farmers market to allow pet dogs in the farmers market if:
(1) pet dogs are required to be on a leash or in a pet carrier;
(2) pet dogs are not allowed in areas in which food is prepared;
(3) pet dogs are not allowed on seats or tables in dining areas within the farmers market;
(4) employees who handle food are not permitted to touch pet dogs, and if they do so, they must wash their hands afterward;
(5) dining areas at the market are kept clean and are sanitized if they come into contact with dog excrement or other bodily fluids; and
(6) the owner or operator of the market complies with local ordinances related to public nuisance and sanitation.
This bill also requires each owner or operator of an indoor or outdoor farmers market to post signage on the premises of the farmers market notifying the public if pet dogs are permitted in the farmers market and the guidelines to be followed for the pet dog to be allowed in the farmers market.
The provisions of the bill would be enforced in the same manner as the State Sanitary Code.