In response to recent state legislation, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants is proposing to update its lodging inspection report to include anti-human trafficking elements. The text of the notice is below.

Notice of Proposed Rule

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

Division of Hotels and Restaurants

RULE NO.:         RULE TITLE:

61C-1.002           Licensing and Inspection Requirements

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To adopt a new inspection form that was impacted by the creation of s. 509.096, F.S.

SUMMARY: The proposed rulemaking amends Rule 61C-1.002, F.A.C., to adopt an updated inspection form that was impacted by the creation of s. 509.096, F.S. Compliance with the requirements of s. 509.096, F.S. became effective January 1, 2021. Amendment of rule 61C-1.002, F.A.C. to add human trafficking to the violation categories on the lodging inspection report (Form HR-5022-014) allows the division to ensure all public lodging establishments comply with s. 509.096, F.S.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 509.032, 509.241, 509.2112, F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 213.0535, 509.032, 509.221, 509.241, 509.242, 509.251, 559.79, 509.2112, 509.013, F.S.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Michelle Keith, Sr. Management Analyst II, Division of Hotels & Restaurants, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, (850)717-1290.

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

61C-1.002 Licensing and Inspection Requirements.

(1) through (7) No Change.

(8) General Inspection Requirements.

(a) Division personnel shall inspect all public lodging establishments as often as necessary for enforcement of the provisions of law and rule and protection of the public’s health, safety and welfare. The result of each inspection shall be recorded on DBPR Form HR-5022-014, LODGING INSPECTION REPORT (https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13537), incorporated herein by reference and effective 2021 2016 July, a legible copy of which shall be provided to the operator.

(b) Division personnel shall inspect all public food service establishments and other places where food is served to or prepared for service to the public as often as necessary for enforcement of the provisions of law and rule and protection of the public’s health, safety and welfare. The result of each inspection, except inspections of temporary public food service establishments, shall be recorded on DBPR Form HR-5022-015, FOOD SERVICE INSPECTION REPORT (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-07063), incorporated herein by reference and effective 2016 July, a legible copy of which shall be provided to the operator. The result of each inspection of a temporary public food service establishment shall be recorded on DBPR Form HR 5021-029, TEMPORARY EVENT VENDOR RECEIPT, APPLICATION AND INSPECTION, a legible copy of which shall be provided to the operator. Persons operating a public food service establishment shall permit division personnel right of entry during operating hours to observe food preparation and service, and if necessary examine records of the establishment to obtain pertinent information pertaining to food and supplies purchased, received or used.

(c) The operator of each public food service establishment shall maintain the latest inspection report on premises and shall make it available to any consumer who asks to see it.

(d) Inspection Frequency. The division shall annually inspect each licensed public lodging and food service establishment as described herein and at such times as the division determines necessary to ensure the public’s health, safety and welfare. The annual inspection cycle shall begin July 1 and end June 30 the following year.

1. Public lodging establishments shall be inspected as prescribed by Section 509.032(2)(a), F.S.

2. Public food service establishments.

a. The minimum number of annual inspections required for each public food service establishment shall be based upon the risk presented by the establishment’s type of food and food preparation processes, type of service, and compliance history. An establishment’s initial classification shall be assigned upon annual inspection or upon application for a license and verified at the licensing inspection, as applicable. Public food service establishments shall be classified and inspected according to the following risk-based inspection frequency schedule.

(9) No Change.

Rulemaking Authority 509.032, 509.241, 509.2112 FS. Law Implemented 213.0535, 509.032, 509.221, 509.241, 509.242, 509.251, 559.79, 509.2112, 509.013 FS. History–New 1-20-63, Amended 9-19-63, 5-20-64, 2-23-66, 8-9-68, 2-4-71, 10-18-71, Repromulgated 12-18-74, Amended 9-1-83, 10-1-83, Formerly 7C-1.02, Amended 1-30-90, 12-31-90, 2-27-92, 6-15-92, Formerly 7C-1.002, Amended 3-31-94, 3-15-95, 10-9-95, 9-25-96, 5-11-98, 9-9-03, 1-1-13, 7-4-13, 7-1-14, 11-20-14, 12-28-15, 2-24-16, 7-11-16, 12-28-16, 7-16-17, 9-2-18, 2-18-21,_____.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Steven von Bodungen, Director

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Julie I. Brown, Secretary

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: August 24, 2021

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: July 22, 2021