SB 1080 Summary: Public Food Service Establishment Inspections

• Transfers regulation of public food service establishment inspections from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (Division of Hotels and Restaurants) to the Department of Health, effective July 1, 2014.

• Establishes a letter-grade inspection system (A, B, C, U) for public food service establishments based on a 100-point scoring scale, with establishments required to immediately post grades in windows and on menus.

• Requires inspectors to be standardized by FDA-certified food service evaluation officers, pass food safety tests, and receive a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education annually.

• Sets maximum license fees at $400 for public food service establishments and $300 for institutional food service establishments, with provisions for initial application fees not to exceed $50 and delinquent renewal fees up to $100.

• Authorizes the Department of Health to increase inspection frequency for establishments receiving grades below "B," establish a consumer advocate position, operate a toll-free complaint hotline, and immediately close establishments receiving grades below "C" or deemed an imminent danger to public health.