State Senator Paul Doyle
October 7, 2009
Doyle & Representatives Serra, Lesser Applaud New Law Regarding Soup Kitchen Health Code Compliance
State Senator Paul Doyle (D-Wethersfield) and State Representatives Joe Serra (D-Middletown) and Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) won legislative approval for an important amendment to state health codes as they apply to soup kitchens and homeless shelters. The language was included in new laws enacted in Special Session earlier this month.
The issue reached a rolling boil in recent weeks when a Middletown soup kitchen was cited by health department officials for health code violations. Local food-for-the-needy activists, including members of the clergy, lobbied for a change in state law to conform with their de facto practice of some 30 years.
“Existing law seemed to create needless conflict between good intentions, and an obstacle in the path of everyone’s desire to deliver safe, warm, healthy meals to the less-fortunate,” Senator Doyle said. “We were able to find common ground among those in the public health community, who wanted to ensure a supply of food suitable for public consumption, and those in the charitable and faith communities, who wanted to ensure maximum supplies for all who need help securing a hearty meal in these difficult times.”
“The resulting compromise, enacted into law, provides an exemption for soup kitchens and shelters to giveaway food prepared in private, unlicensed kitchens,” Senator Doyle added.
The new law became effective immediately upon passage.
"In the deepest recession in a generation, this is a victory not just for the hungry, but also for charities and people of faith," said Rep. Lesser. "It’s great to see the Attorney General, Governor Rell and the Middletown delegation all work together to fix this in record time."
“I was pleased that we were able to fix this as the up & coming holidays approach,” said Rep. Joe Serra.
Rep. Serra has served in the General Assembly since 1993, Sen. Doyle since 1995, and Rep. Lesser is serving his first term.
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