Bill > S4328

Introduced Session

This bill permits dogs in the outdoor dining areas of food establishments, provided that certain conditions are met. The bill also allows animals in food establishments under certain circumstances. The bill codifies the current requirements regarding the presence of live animals in food establishments as set forth in the New Jersey Administrative Code at N.J.A.C.8:24-6.5. The bill, is designated as "Chloe's Pet Access Law," to recognize the dog belonging to the family who advocated for the measures in the bill. Specifically, the bill allows a live animal on the premises of a food establishment under limited conditions if the presence of the live animal would not result in the contamination of food, clean equipment, utensils, and linens, and unwrapped single-use articles. Live animals are allowed on the premises of a food establishment in aquariums and display tank systems, when accompanying police or security officers as patrol dogs, when used as service animals, and in common areas of group residences. The bill also includes additional specific conditions that would apply when pet dogs are allowed in outdoor dining areas. Finally, the bill allows for the storage of live or dead fish bait on the premises of a food establishment if the storage would not result in the contamination of food, clean equipment, utensils, and linens, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles.

Committee Categories

Vin Gopal (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 12/12/2019)

Official Document