Food facilities: retail food safety.

Assembly Member Haney's retail food safety legislation modifies California's Health and Safety Code requirements for food facility equipment placement, structural features, and temporary facility operations. The bill revises regulations for grease trap locations, establishing specific exemption criteria when structural limitations prevent installation outside food preparation areas. Under these provisions, facilities must demonstrate hardship, provide detailed maintenance plans to prevent cross-contamination, and implement post-service sanitization procedures.

The measure updates passthrough window specifications, permitting service openings up to 432 square inches when equipped with either an air curtain or self-closing device, and larger openings when both devices are installed. Local enforcement agencies retain authority to approve alternative designs that prevent contamination. The bill also refines requirements for wall and ceiling surfaces, expanding exemptions to all beverage service areas while maintaining standards for employee restrooms and food preparation zones.

For temporary food facilities, the legislation modifies overhead protection requirements. Facilities approved for limited food preparation may qualify for exemption from overhead coverage rules when their location or other conditions prevent exposure to environmental contaminants. The amendments expand local health agencies' enforcement responsibilities while preserving their discretion to evaluate site-specific compliance approaches.