Bill Text: NJ SR124 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges airline carriers to enact policies concerning peanuts on flights.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-12-19 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR124 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-SR124-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH M. KYRILLOS, JR.
District 13 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Urges airline carriers to enact policies concerning peanuts on flights.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging airline carriers to enact policies concerning peanuts on flights.
Whereas, The increasing prevalence of peanut allergies in the United States is alarming, with more than 3 million Americans now having peanut allergies; and
Whereas, Allergic reactions to peanuts are most often caused by ingestion of the allergen, but reactions are also possible through external exposure to peanut allergens; and
Whereas, In response to the concerns of people susceptible to severe reactions from the external exposure to peanut allergens, JetBlue Airways Corporation (JetBlue) does not serve peanuts on its flights and will create a buffer zone one row in front and one row behind the passenger with the peanut allergy and ask customers seated in the buffer zone to refrain from consuming any products containing peanuts that they have brought onboard; and
Whereas, Southwest Airlines (Southwest) suspends the service of peanuts on flights with a passenger that has a peanut allergy and will allow the passenger with the peanut allergy to board the plane early in order to disinfect that passenger's seat and surrounding environment; and
Whereas, JetBlue and Southwest should be commended for their proactive policies to protect the health and safety of passengers with peanut allergies; and
Whereas, Airlines that serve peanuts should consider the safety of all their passengers and enact policies that, at a minimum, provide for an announcement to be made to passengers on any plane where there is another passenger on board with an allergy to peanuts to protect the health and safety of the traveling public; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Senate of the State of New Jersey expresses its support for the policies of JetBlue Airways Corporation and Southwest Airlines concerning peanuts on flights and respectfully urges commercial airline carriers to enact policies that, at a minimum, provide for an announcement to be made to passengers on any plane where there is another passenger on board with an allergy to peanuts.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to every airline carrier operating in this State, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, and each member of the United States Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This Senate resolution supports the policies of JetBlue Airways Corporation and Southwest Airlines concerning peanuts on flights and urges commercial airline carriers to enact a policy that, at a minimum, provides for an announcement to be made to passengers on any plane where there is another passenger on board with an allergy to peanuts.
More than 3 million Americans now have peanut allergies. In the most severe cases, an allergic reaction to peanuts can result in death. Despite this risk, many airlines take no extra precaution for customers with peanut allergies.
