OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 5281

AN ACT CONCERNING THE DONATION OF DEER MEAT TO NONPROFIT ENTITIES.

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) commissioner to issue two additional tags, in areas she designates, to any person intending to kill deer from which he or she will donate the meat to a charitable or nonprofit organization that serves or distributes food, without cost, to poor or needy people. By law, meat from hunted game, including deer meat, may be donated to such charitable or nonprofit organizations.  Donated deer meat must be “dressed, packaged, refrigerated, dated and tagged, and labeled or marked 'not for sale. '”

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2009

BACKGROUND

Deer Tags

By law, the DEP commissioner must issue tags that hunters must attach to the carcass of any deer they kill. The hunter must immediately attach a tag to the deer and it must remain affixed until the carcass is dressed, butchered, and packaged for consumption. Anyone taking deer must, within 24 hours, report killing a deer to the DEP commissioner on a form she furnishes.

Notification Concerning Donated Meat

The law requires charitable or nonprofit organizations that serve or distribute any donated hunted game meat to notify any recipients that the meat has not been inspected by any government agency. They must clearly and conspicuously display a sign at any location that serves or distributes such meat that indicates the type of game being served or distributed and that the game was not required to be inspected under the Connecticut Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

State and Municipal Liability Waived for Donated Meat

By law, neither the state nor any of its political subdivisions may be held liable for damages resulting from the consumption of meat donated to charitable or nonprofit organizations.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Environment Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute