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Bill

HB 272

Food Establishments - Lavatory Requirement and On-Farm Food Service Facility License

2026 Regular Session

HB 272 establishes lavatory requirements for food establishments and creates a new on-farm food service facility license category in Maryland.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 189
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 272

Legislative bill overview

HB 272 modifies Maryland's food service regulations to establish specific lavatory requirements for food establishments and creates a new licensing category for on-farm food service facilities. The bill appears designed to streamline regulations for small-scale agricultural food operations while maintaining health and safety standards for traditional food establishments.

Why is this important

Food safety regulations directly affect public health outcomes and foodborne illness prevention. This bill could impact small farmers and agritourism operations by potentially reducing regulatory barriers, while also addressing sanitation standards that protect consumers. The creation of a separate licensing pathway for on-farm facilities reflects growing interest in local and farm-to-table food systems.

Potential points of contention

  • Lavatory specification details: The bill's specific lavatory requirements could be seen as either strengthening public health protections or creating unnecessary compliance burdens depending on their stringency and cost implications
  • On-farm facility standards: Questions about whether a separate licensing tier for on-farm operations maintains adequate health and safety standards or creates a two-tiered system with different protections
  • Regulatory burden vs. agricultural support: Tension between supporting Maryland's farming community and food entrepreneurship against ensuring consistent food safety oversight across all food service venues

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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