Bill Text: SC H4503 | 2011-2012 | 119th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Sanitary Restaurant Play Area Study Committee
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-10 - Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs [H4503 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2011-H4503-Introduced.html
A JOINT RESOLUTION
TO CREATE THE SOUTH CAROLINA SANITARY RESTAURANT PLAY AREA STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY PLAY AREAS SITUATED IN RESTAURANTS IN THIS STATE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE RELATED TO REGULATION OF THE CLEANLINESS OF THESE PLAY AREAS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP AND METHOD OF APPOINTMENT FOR THE COMMITTEE, PROVIDE FOR THE DUTIES OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE, PROVIDE FOR THE STAFFING OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE, AND TO DISSOLVE THE STUDY COMMITTEE AFTER A REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS IS PROVIDED TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR.
Whereas, recreation and nutrition are of great fundamental importance to the health and development of the children of South Carolina; and
Whereas, the General Assembly commends public eating establishments that provide recreational areas to children along with nutritious menu options as a means of encouraging good recreational and nutritional habits among children; and
Whereas, just as ensuring sanitation in the preparation and service of food is essential to providing safe and nutritious food for children, it is likewise greatly important to ensure sanitation in recreational areas offered by restaurants because as children move between dining and recreation areas, they might bring unsanitary elements from a recreation area to a dining area, thereby potentially jeopardizing the cleanliness of food being consumed by children and other patrons of the dining establishment. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. (A) A South Carolina Sanitary Restaurant Play Area Study Committee is created to study the restaurant play areas in the State and to recommend legislation, if appropriate, related to the regulation of the cleanliness of these play areas.
(B) The study committee must be composed of the following members:
(1) the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, or his designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the study committee;
(2) one member of the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children (JCLCC), chosen by the Chairperson of the JCLCC;
(3) the President of the South Carolina Hospitality Association or his designee;
(4) one member representing the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association (SCRPA), chosen by the chairperson upon the recommendation of the SCRPA;
(5) three members of the general public appointed by the Governor.
(C) The study committee must review all information it considers relevant related to restaurant play areas, any current statutes or regulations governing restaurant play areas, and any deficiencies related to the standards or regulations relating to the cleanliness and sanitation of restaurant play areas. The study committee must develop and recommend statewide minimum requirements it considers necessary for the cleanliness and sanitation of restaurant play areas and recommend a mechanism for the enforcement of the requirements by the Department of Health and Environmental Control. The study committee must complete and render a written public report detailing its findings and recommendations, to include any recommended legislation, to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 31, 2013, at which time the study committee must be dissolved.
(D) The staffing for the committee must be provided by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
(E) Members of the study committee shall serve without compensation.
(F) Except as otherwise provided, the study committee may organize and collect information in the manner it deems to be best suited to accomplish its objectives.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
