Requires operators of petting zoos and other public establishments featuring animals to maintain hand washing or hand cleansing facilities for patrons

Summary of specific provisions

Amends the general business law by adding a new section 399-ff which requires any facility which provides an area where animals are congregated for the explicit purpose of allowing patrons and other visitors to view, touch pet or fondling such animals to: (1) provide appropriate hand washing/hand cleansing facilities at either (a) the immediate exit from the area where the animals are congregated for this purpose or (b) within 5O feet of that exit; (2) post conspicuous signage at and around the facility urging patrons and other visitors to the petting area to wash/cleanse their hands upon leaving the area and directing them to the nearest. hand washing/hand cleansing facility. This bill also prohibits the sale of food prepared for immediate consumption by humans within fifty feet of the petting zoo area and authorizes the imposition of monetary penalties for non-compliance with any of these Provisions. Furthermore, this bill authorizes the State Commissioner of Health and the New York City Commissioner of Health (within the city of New York) to establish rules guarding against the spread of bacteria and viruses carried by animals displayed at carnivals, fairs and amusement parks that feature petting zoos.

Justification

It is no secret that animals are conveyors of many communicable diseases potentially harmful to humans, particularly our most vulnerable - children and the elderly. These most vulnerable groups are generally the main target audience for petting zoos. Yet current law does not adequately protect our children and families by requiring petting zoos to provide hand washing/hand cleansing facilities for patrons and/or other visitors to the zoo to wash/cleanse their hands upon leaving-the petting area.

While there have been no studies to date to make a knowledgeable evaluation of the impact, a recent survey reported in the Journal of Clinical Communicable Diseases found that a significant number of petting zoo customers did not wash their hands on exiting the touching area. Common sense dictates therefore, that it is good public policy to require the availability of hand cleansing/washing areas, with reminders to the public that good hygiene standards should be maintained to protect against the high risk of spreading disease. The

Journal of clinical Infectious Diseases, survey also found that there was increased hand hygiene compliance and practice when hand washing stations were located on the exit routes from the petting area, along with conspicuous signage urging patrons and other visitors to wash/cleanse their hand upon exiting the petting zoo. Good public policy dictates that appropriate measures be put in place to eliminate this avenue of potential Health crisis. This bill will ensure that patrons and other visitors to petting zoos are provided the opportunity to wash/cleanse their hand after touching, fondling and petting animals, thereby minimizing any prospect for the spread of any germs being carried by the animal(s) i n the petting zoo.

Prior legislative history

2011-2012 A.4018 2009-2010 A.3576 2007-2008 A.9377

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

On the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become law.