Source: http://www.dcwatch.com/archives/council14/14-154.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 00:07:41+00:00

Document:
Chairman Linda W. Cropp, at the request of the Mayor, introduced the following bill, which was referred to the Committee on Human Services.
To amend An Act Relating to the adulteration of foods and drugs in the District of Columbia, approved February 17, 1898 (30 Stat. 247; D.C. Code §33-104) to safeguard the public health and ensure that food provided to consumers in the District is safe, unadulterated, and honestly presented to authorize the Mayor to adopt the United States Food and Drug Administration's Model Food Code Regulations with any necessary amendments thereto, to promulgate rules to implement the act, and to establish new administrative and civil remedies as well as criminal penalties for violations of the act or rules promulgated pursuant to this act; to amend the Good Faith Donor and Donee Act of 1981, effective October 8, 1981 (D.C. Law 439; D.C. § 33-801) to make a conforming amendment; to amend An Act To establish standard weights and measures for the District of Columbia to define the duties of the Superintendent of Weights, Measures and Markets of the District of Columbia, and for other purposes, approved March 3, 1921 (41 Stat. 1224; D.C. § 10-132) to transfer to the Mayor the authority to promulgate regulations governing markets in the District of Columbia; to amend An Act Making appropriations to provide for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-six, and for other purposes, approved March 2, 1895 (28 Stat. 758; D.C. Code § 6-501) to authorize the Mayor to promulgate rules with respect to food and food establishments instead of the Council; to amend Section 513 of Title 24 of the District of Columbia Regulations No. 74-39, 21 DCR 1285 (December 23, 1974) to make a conforming amendment; to repeal An Act To prevent the adulteration of candy in the District of Columbia, approved May 5, 1898 (30 Stat. 398; D.C. Code §§ 33-201 - 33-203); to repeal An Act To regulate within the District of Columbia the sale of milk, cream, and ice cream, and for other purposes, approved February 27, 1925 (43 Stat. 1004; D.C. Code §§ 33-301 - 33-312); to repeal An Act Relating to the sale of horse meat or food products thereof in the District of Columbia, approved July 3, 1943 (57 Stat. 372; D.C. Code §§ 33401 - 33-403); to repeal An Act To prevent the sale of unwholesome food in the District of Columbia, approved Dec. 16, 1941 (55 Stat. 808; D.C. Code § 22 -3419); and to repeal Health Regulations, effective August 22, 1967, Title 8-6:108; 35 DCR 3249 (May 6, 1988) pertaining to the importation, preparation, processing, production, transportation, service, storage, distribution, and sale of food for public or private consumption in the District of Columbia.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Food Regulation Act of 2001 ".
"(9) A private club or a church, which serves occasional meals at not more than twenty-four (24) events during a twelve (12) month period."
"(d) The term 'embargo' as used in this act, shall mean an administrative restriction or exclusion on the distribution of food or food products.
"(e) The term 'condemnation' as used in this act, shall mean an administrative restriction or exclusion on the use of specific equipment, utensils or linens."
"(14) That is, bears, or contains a color additive that is unsafe within the meaning of section 721 of the Federal Food Act (21 U. S.C. 379(e)(a)).
"(D) That has been prepared, packed, or held under conditions that do not comply with current, good manufacturing practice rules, including rules that require expiration date labeling.".
"(a) It shall be the duty of the Mayor to adopt such measures as may be necessary to facilitate the enforcement of this act with regard to the proper method of collecting and examining drugs and articles of food in the District of Columbia."
(9) Examine embargo and condemn food or food products, equipment, utensils and linens to protect the public health.".
(d) Section 5 (D.C. Code § 33-105) is amended by striking the phrase "Director of Public Health" and inserting the word "Mayor" in its place.
(3) By adding the phrase "The Mayor may collect, without cost, and examine samples of food sufficient to analyze in order to determine compliance with this act." at the end of the section.
(f) Section 8 (D.C. Code § 33-108) is amended by striking the phrase "Health Department" and inserting the phrase "Department of Health" in its place.
"Section 8A. Administrative Remedies for Enforcement.
"(7) Does not comply with a summary suspension order by the Mayor.
"(b) The Mayor may grant a variance from food establishment license requirements if the applicant or licensee shows that compliance with the requirements of this act, or the rules promulgated pursuant to this act or the Food Regulation Act of 2001, would result in an unreasonable financial hardship, and that the public health and welfare would not be endangered.
"(c) The Mayor may suspend or revoke a license issued to a food establishment, for violation of this act or rules implementing this act and may summarily suspend or restrict the license if the Mayor determines through inspection, or examination of employees, food, records, or other means as specified in this act or rules, that an imminent health hazard exists. Summary suspension may be carried out by providing written notice to the licensee or person in charge, without prior warning, notice of a hearing, or hearing. If the Mayor restricts the activities of an employee of the food establishment, notice shall be given to that employee who shall have a right to a hearing after the restriction is implemented.
"(E) Is otherwise not in compliance with this act.
"(2) The Mayor shall provide the licensee or person in charge of the food establishment with a written notice at the same time the embargo action is taken, stating the action that is being taken, the basis for the action, and the right of the licensee or person in charge to request a hearing.
"(e) The Mayor may, without prior notice, condemn and cause to be removed any equipment, utensils or linens found in a food establishment, the use of which does not comply with this act or rules implementing this act, or that is being used in violation of this act or rules implementing this act, or that is unfit for use because of dirt, filth, extraneous matter, insects, corrosion, open seams, or chipped or cracked surfaces. The Mayor shall provide the licensee or person in charge of the food establishment with a written notice at the same time the condemnation action is taken, stating the action that is being taken, the basis for the action, and the right of the licensee or person in charge to request a hearing.
"(f) The Mayor may suspend a license issued in accordance with D.C. Code §§47-2801 and 47-2827 if the licensee is in violation of this act, or of the rules promulgated pursuant to this act. Written notice of the suspension shall be served upon the affected party or the party's designated agent. The Mayor shall provide the affected party or the party's designated agent with a written notice stating the action that is being taken, the basis for the action, and the right of the affected party or party's designated agent to request a hearing.
"(g) If a licensee has previously violated this act, or the rules promulgated pursuant to this act, or if the person's license has been previously suspended, the Mayor may revoke the license upon the commission of another violation. The Mayor shall provide the affected party, or the party's designated agent, with written notice of the intent to revoke the license and with an opportunity for a hearing prior to revocation. A person whose license has been revoked pursuant to this section may reapply for a food establishment license. The Mayor may grant a new license if the person is able to demonstrate an ability and willingness to comply with the license and with the provisions of this act and the rules implementing this act.
"(h) A licensee, person in charge or employee shall have the right to request a hearing within fifteen (15) days after service of the notice of an adverse action under this section. A request for a hearing shall not stay a summary suspension, an embargo or a condemnation order. The Mayor shall hold a hearing within seventy-two (72) hours a timely request for a hearing following a summary suspension, an embargo or a condemnation order, and shall issue a decision within seventy-two (72) hours after the hearing.
"(i) Each hearing shall be held in accordance with the contested case provisions of section 10 of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, approved October 21, 1968 (D.C. Code § 1 -1509) and judicial review shall be in accordance with section 11 of that act (D.C. Code § 1-1510).
"(j) The Mayor shall be authorized to conduct necessary examinations and tests to determine whether any food employee has a disease in a communicable form, or is a carrier of a communicable disease. A food employee shall submit to examinations and tests, including providing access to medical history, at the request of the Mayor when there is reason to believe that the employee has a disease in a communicable form, or is a carrier of a communicable disease.
"(k) For the purpose of enforcing this act or any rule issued pursuant to this act, the Mayor may, at any reasonable time, upon the presentation of proper credentials to the owner, operator, or agent in charge, enter into or upon any food establishment for the purpose of making inspections and tests.
"(l) The Mayor may request that the Corporation Counsel commence an appropriate civil action in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to secure a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, a permanent injunction, or other appropriate relief from the court, to enforce this act or rules issued pursuant to this act.".
"(a) Whenever the Mayor has reason to believe that there has been a violation of this act or the rules promulgated pursuant to this act, the Mayor shall give written notice of the alleged violation to the licensee, person in charge or employee. The notice shall state the nature of the violation and shall allow a reasonable time for the performance of the necessary corrective measures. Failure to comply shall result in penalties as set out in subsection (b).
"(b) Any person who violates this act, or rules promulgated pursuant to this act, shall be liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each violation. For any violation, each day of the violation shall constitute a separate offense and the penalties prescribed shall apply separately to each offense.
"(c) Any person who knowingly violates this act or the rules promulgated pursuant to this act shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000, or imprisonment not to exceed one (1) year, or both. For any violation, each day of the violation shall constitute a separate offense and the penalties prescribed shall apply separately to each offense. Prosecutions for violations of this subsection shall be brought in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by the Corporation Counsel for the District of Columbia.
"(d) Civil fines, penalties, and fees may be imposed as alternative sanctions for any infraction of the provisions of this act, or any rules issued under the authority of that act, pursuant to subchapters I through III of Chapter 27 of Title 6.
"(e) Any person who contests a final order of the Mayor issued pursuant to the Food Regulation Act of 2001, after exhaustion of all administrative remedies, is entitled to judicial review of the final order upon filing a written petition for review in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals."
"(a) The Mayor, shall issue rules in accordance with Title 1 of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, approved October 21, 1968 (82 Stat. 1204; D.C. Code § 1-1 501 et set.) to implement the provisions of this act. The Mayor may amend this act by promulgation of a rule in accordance with this section.
"(3) Prohibit the use of a particular nonnutritive substance.
"(c) The Mayor shall establish by rule, a license application fee for a food establishment. The fee shall be set in an amount to recoup some or all of the costs to the District of Columbia for reviewing the application. The regulations may also provide for interest to be charged on late payments of any charges imposed pursuant to this act.".
(2) By striking the phrase "§ 8-6:102 of Title 8 of the Health Regulations" and inserting the phrase "Food Regulation Act of 2001 or rules issued pursuant to that act" in its place.
Sec. 4. Section 28 of An Act To establish standard weights and measures for the District of Columbia; to define the duties of the Superintendent of Weights, Measures and Markets of the District of Columbia; and for other purposes, approved March 3, 1921 (41 Stat. 1224; D.C. Code § 10-132), is amended by striking the word "Council" wherever it appears and inserting the word "Mayor" in its place.
"513.1 All preparation, storage, handling, transportation, and storage of food vended under the provisions of this chapter shall be in compliance with the Food Regulation Act of 2001 and the regulations issued pursuant to that act.".
(a) An Act To prevent the adulteration of candy in the District of Columbia, approved May 5, 1898 (30 Stat. 398; D.C. Code §§ 33-201 - 33-203), is repealed.
(b) An Act To regulate within the District of Columbia the sale of milk, cream, and ice cream, and for other purposes, approved February 27, 1925 (43 Stat. 1004; D.C. Code §§ 33-301 - 33-312) is repealed.
(c) An Act Relating to the sale of horse meat or food products thereof in the District of Columbia, approved July 3, 1943 (57 Stat. 372; D.C. Code §§ 33-401 - 33403) is repealed.
(d) An Act To prevent the sale of unwholesome food in the District of Columbia, approved December 16, 1941 (55 Stat. 807; D.C. Code §§ 22-3416 - 22-3422), is repealed.
(e) Title 8-6:108 of the Health Regulations, effective August 22, 1967, are repealed upon the effective date of publication in the District of Columbia Resister of the notice of final rulemaking for the regulations authorized by this act.
Sec. 9 Fiscal Impact Statement.
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code § 1-233(c)(3)).
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), approval by the Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority, as provided in section 203(a) of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority Act of 1995, approved April 17, 1995 (109 Stat. 116; D.C. Code §47-392.3(a)), a 60-day period of Congressional review, as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code § 1233(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.

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