HB 186 Summary

• Protects food donors from civil and criminal liability for injuries or deaths from donated food, except in cases of gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.

• Allows donation of food that is apparently fit for human consumption despite missing labels, cosmetic imperfections, surplus status, or expired "best by" dates.

• Extends liability protections to hatchery salmon donations and unsold hot food donations, with unsold hot food requiring a label stating "This food has been previously heated. Best if kept frozen until ready to eat."

• Provides parallel liability protections to food banks and charitable organizations that receive and distribute donated food if they reasonably inspect it and have no actual or constructive knowledge it is unsafe.

• Expands definitions to include "charitable organization" (nonprofits providing free food to people without resources) and "food" (including unsold hot food) in the liability protection statutes.