H 1594 Massachusetts House · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act encouraging the donation of food to persons in need

This bill amends Massachusetts law to protect individuals and food establishments from civil lawsuits when they donate food, including items that have passed their expiration dates, to nonprofit organizations or other recipients. The protections apply as long as the donated food is not misbranded or adulterated and was handled in compliance with public health regulations, while also excluding cases involving gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct by the donor. By removing liability for injuries caused by the condition of such donated food, the legislation aims to encourage more people and businesses to contribute surplus food to those in need without fear of legal repercussions.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Jul 2024
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action Aug 5, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
4
Committee
1
Jul 25, 2024
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
May 20, 2024
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Apr 1, 2024
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 40 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Hannah Kane
Hannah Kane
RRepublican
MA
11th Worcester
Co
Photo of Brian Ashe
Brian Ashe
DDemocratic
MA
2nd Hampden
Co
Photo of Brian Murray
Brian Murray
DDemocratic
MA
10th Worcester
Co
Photo of Bruce Tarr
Bruce Tarr
RRepublican
MA
First Essex and Middlesex
Co
Photo of Carole Fiola
Carole Fiola
DDemocratic
MA
6th Bristol
Co
Photo of Colleen Garry
Colleen Garry
DDemocratic
MA
36th Middlesex
Co
Photo of Dave Robertson
Dave Robertson
DDemocratic
MA
19th Middlesex
Co
Photo of David DeCoste
David DeCoste
RRepublican
MA
5th Plymouth
Co
Photo of Erika Uyterhoeven
Erika Uyterhoeven
DDemocratic
MA
27th Middlesex
Co
Photo of James Arena-DeRosa
James Arena-DeRosa
DDemocratic
MA
8th Middlesex
Co
Photo of Jamie Eldridge
Jamie Eldridge
DDemocratic
MA
Middlesex and Worcester