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New California Bill: Waiters Will Serve 6 Months In Prison For Handing Out ‘Unsolicited’ Straws
By Caterine DeCicco
January 25, 2018 at 1:24pm
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A California lawmaker has introduced a new bill that would make it illegal to distribute single-use straws to consumers at restaurants unless specifically requested.
Ian Calderon, the Democratic majority leader in California’s lower house, brought forth Assembly Bill 1884, citing environmental protection as a reason to discourage the use of “single use straws,†typically distributed with soft drinks, smoothies, and coffee, which are then disposed of after being used.
“We need to create awareness around the issue of one-time use plastic straws and its detrimental effects on our landfills, waterways, and oceans,†Calderon stated in a media release.
“AB 1884 is not a ban on plastic straws,†he added. “It is a small step towards curbing our reliance on these convenience products, which will hopefully contribute to a change in consumer attitudes and usage.â€
Assembly Bill 1884 aims to update the California Retail Food Code.
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The bill notes that the current code “… establishes uniform health and sanitation standards for, and provides for regulation by the State Department of Public Health of, retail food facilities, as defined, and requires local health agencies to enforce these provisions.â€
As the law currently stands, punishment for violating the Retail Food Code ranges from paying a fine between $25 – $1,000 or jail time.
“Existing law requires, except as otherwise provided, a person who violates any provision of the code to be guilty of a misdemeanor with each offense punishable by a fine of not less than $25 or more than $1,000, or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding 6 months, or by both.â€
If passed, the law would modify the code to mark the provision of “single-use plastic straws to consumers unless requested by the consumer,†as a crime.
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