Bill > H2263

This bill aims to restrict the use of polystyrene, also known as Styrofoam, in certain food and retail establishments. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. Food establishments will be prohibited from dispensing food to customers in disposable food service containers made from polystyrene starting on August 1, 2022. 2. Retail establishments will be prohibited from selling or distributing polystyrene food service ware to customers starting on August 1, 2022. 3. The Department will promulgate regulations for the enforcement of this law, including establishing fines not exceeding $1,000 for any single violation. 4. Food establishments can apply for a one-year deferment from the requirements if they can show that the conditions would cause them undue hardship and that they have no reasonable alternatives to using polystyrene disposable food service containers. The bill is intended to reduce the use of polystyrene, a non-biodegradable material that has significant environmental impacts, in the food and retail industries.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H2263