HB415 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joe LovvornRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Food service establishments, require grease traps to having locking manhole covers

Summary

HB 415 would require outdoor or publicly accessible grease-trap manholes at commercial food service establishments to have locking, secure covers and would impose penalties for noncompliance, with rules to be set by the Department of Public Health.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would require grease traps with manholes to be gas-tight, able to withstand loads, and to prevent access by children; the manhole cover must be secured at all times. Establishments would have six months to comply with the locking cover requirement. The Department of Public Health would adopt rules to implement the act. If an establishment fails to comply, a $500 civil penalty would be assessed, with additional penalties for each day the violation continues, and all penalties would go to the State Treasury to support enforcement.

Who It Affects

• Commercial food service establishments in Alabama that use grease traps outdoors or in areas accessible to the general public, which must secure grease trap manhole covers.
• The Alabama Department of Public Health, which would enforce the rule and collect penalties.

Key Provisions

• Grease traps with manholes that are outdoors or publicly accessible must have gas-tight construction and locking or bolted covers to prevent unauthorized access and protect children.
• The grease trap manhole must be secured and locked at all times by the establishment.
• The Department of Public Health will adopt rules to implement and administer the act.
• Compliance with the locking cover requirement must occur within six months of the act's effective date.
• Civil penalties include a $500 fine per violation, with additional penalties for each day the violation continues; penalties are deposited to the State Treasury for the Department of Public Health to use for enforcement.
• The act is named the Sadie Grace Andrews Act.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Restaurants