HB111 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chip BrownRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Donated foods, extend immunity to donated meat from game animals, this immunity not to apply to intentional acts, Sec. 20-1-6 am'd.

Summary

HB 111 would extend donated-food immunity to meat from game animals and limit immunity for canned or perishable donations if the donor acts with intent.

What This Bill Does

Extends the existing donated-food immunity to include meat from game animals, protecting good-faith donors from criminal or civil liability for injuries or deaths caused by the food’s condition unless caused by the donor’s gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Keeps immunity for other canned or perishable food donations but narrows it by excluding liability when the injury or death results from the donor’s intentional act or omission. Also shields bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations that distribute donated food, with liability protection only for injuries or deaths not tied to the organization’s gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Defines perishable and canned foods and notes that the provisions apply to foods not readily marketable, while allowing regulators to oversee or ban unsafe food; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Donors of food, including donors of meat from game animals, who would receive immunity from criminal and civil liability for injuries or deaths caused by the food’s condition, except in cases of gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.
• Bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations that receive and distribute donated food, who would also have liability protections for injuries or deaths caused by the food’s condition, except in cases of gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct by the organization.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 20-1-6 to explicitly include meat from game animals within the scope of perishable food and the immunity framework.
• Immunity for good-faith donors of canned or perishable food applies only if the food is apparently fit for human consumption at donation and the injury/death is not the direct result of gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct by the donor.
• Bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations receiving and distributing food in good faith are not liable for injuries or deaths due to the food’s condition unless caused by the organization’s gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.
• The provisions apply to food not readily marketable due to appearance, freshness, grade, surplus, or other conditions, while allowing regulatory agencies to regulate or ban such food for human consumption.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month following its passage and governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Food