SB144 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Donated foods, donors of game meat immune from liability under certain conditions, Sec. 20-1-6 am'd.

Summary

SB144 would extend liability immunity to donors of game meat and other canned or perishable foods donated to charities for free distribution, with limited exceptions.

What This Bill Does

It clarifies that immunity from criminal and civil liability for injuries or deaths caused by donated food applies to donors of game meat as well as other canned or perishable foods. Immunity applies only if the food was apparently fit for human consumption at the time of donation and the injury was not caused by the donor's gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. It also shields bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations that receive and distribute the food in good faith without charge, under the same exceptions. The act allows regulatory agencies to regulate or ban non-marketable food, and specifies when the act takes effect.

Who It Affects

• Good-faith donors of canned or perishable foods (including meat from game animals) to bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations for free distribution, who would be immune from criminal and civil liability unless the injury is directly caused by the donor's gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.
• Bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations that receive and distribute donated food in good faith without charge, who would be immune from criminal and civil liability unless the injury is directly caused by the organization's gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.

Key Provisions

• Extends immunity to donors of meat from game animals when donated in good faith to charitable or nonprofit organizations for free distribution.
• Extends immunity to donors of canned or perishable foods, provided the food is apparently fit for human consumption at donation time.
• Immunity from criminal and civil liability applies for injuries or deaths due to the food's condition unless the injury is a direct result of the donor's gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct.
• Receivers (charitable/nonprofit organizations) that distribute donated food in good faith without charge are also immune from liability under the same conditions.
• Definitions added for 'canned food' and 'perishable food' (including meat from game animals) to clarify what is covered.
• Allows regulatory agencies to regulate or ban non-marketable donated food if necessary.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after the bill becomes law.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Food