HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 117

(By Delegates Howell, Arvon, Border-Sheppard, Cadle, Caputo, Eldridge, Ferro, Hamrick, Ihle, Kessinger, Marcum, McGeehan, Moffatt, Morgan, Nelson, J., Phillips, R., Smith, P., Smith, R., Sponaugle, Stansbury, and Zatezalo)

[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization]

[March 9, 2014]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance conduct a study of the various county requirements to obtain a food handlers permit or card, the necessity for statewide minimum standards, including the option to obtain a statewide food handlers permit, and the benefit to workers and businesses of recognizing a company’s training and testing in lieu of a county test.

            Whereas, The Legislature has established that it is in the public interest that the health of its citizens be protected when food is cooked and served to the general public; and

            Whereas, The Legislature has heretofore authorized municipal, county or regional boards of health to develop policies and procedures for issuing a food handlers card or permit; and

Whereas, The county tests and fees for a food handlers card or permit are not uniform and not recognized statewide making it cumbersome and expensive for employees to work and businesses to operate in more than one county or statewide if desired; and

Whereas, Established chain restaurants may have food handlers training and testing that already meets or exceeds the minimum proficiency required by any county test; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the various county requirements to obtain a food handlers permit or card, the necessity for statewide minimum standards, including the option to obtain a statewide food handlers permit, and the benefit to workers and businesses of recognizing a company’s training and testing in lieu of a county test ; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2016, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.