This bill amends several sections of the General Laws in Chapter 16-111, which pertains to "School Waste Recycling and Refuse Disposal." Key provisions include the introduction of definitions for terms such as "educational entity" and "sharing table," which establishes designated areas in school cafeterias for students and staff to place unopened and safe food items for redistribution. The bill mandates that educational entities conduct waste audits every three years, starting January 1, 2027, and report the results to the Rhode Island Department of Education, which will publish the results on its website.

Additionally, it requires food service vendors to provide an annual report detailing the amount of unserved nonperishable or unspoiled perishable food donated, along with information on any tax deductions or credits utilized due to these donations. Vendors that fail to comply with these provisions will face a fine and be prohibited from participating in future requests for proposals (RFPs) or invitations for bids (IFBs) for food service for educational entities.

The bill emphasizes the requirement for food service vendors to use local sources and mandates that they recycle organic waste. It also introduces a new section allowing educational entities to implement sharing tables to minimize food waste and address food insecurity, outlining the types of food that can be placed on these tables and establishing safety guidelines for food donations.

Lastly, the bill directs the commissioner to promulgate necessary rules and regulations to implement these changes by January 1, 2027, and includes provisions for educational programs on litter prevention and recycling awareness for public school students, including elementary, middle, and high school students.

Statutes affected:
7342: 23-18.9-17, 16-22-35