Bill > H126

This bill establishes a legal framework for community fridges in Massachusetts to help address food insecurity. It defines a community fridge as a publicly accessible refrigerator where people can donate or take food freely, with each fridge required to have a designated manager (who could be a volunteer, nonprofit, or government official) responsible for maintaining cleanliness and sanitary conditions according to the department of public health guidelines. The bill prioritizes placing these fridges in areas with high food insecurity, such as food deserts and low-income regions, and mandates equitable distribution across the Commonwealth's geographic regions. Additionally, the bill includes a liability protection clause for food establishments that donate open-dated or free food, ensuring they cannot be held civilly liable for food-related injuries as long as the food was not misbranded, adulterated, or improperly handled, and the injury was not caused by gross negligence or intentional misconduct. This legislation aims to increase food access for vulnerable populations while providing legal safeguards for food donors.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H126