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2018 SESSION
18105899DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 3.2 a chapter numbered 51.2, consisting of sections numbered 3.2-5157 through 3.2-5160, as follows:
§ 3.2-5157. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
"Micro market" means an unattended, self-checkout retail food establishment that (i) consists of one or more micro market displays in a single location; (ii) contains a self-checkout kiosk; (iii) is located in the interior of a building; (iv) is accessible to a defined population, such as employees of a particular employer or occupants of the building in which the micro market is located; and (v) is not accessible to the general public.
"Micro market display" means any of the following in which food or beverage is displayed: (i) an open rack, (ii) a refrigerator or a refrigerated cooler, (iii) a freezer, (iv) a beverage dispenser, or (v) a single-serve coffee brewer.
§ 3.2-5158. Registration required for operation of a micro market.
It is unlawful for any person to operate an unattended, self-checkout retail establishment that does not meet the requirements of a micro market or without having first registered with the Department. A registrant pursuant to this chapter shall be fully responsible for the operation of its micro market.
§ 3.2-5159. Agreement when owner or operator is not the registrant.
In the event that the micro market registrant is not the owner or operator of the building in which the micro market is located, such registrant may enter into an agreement with such owner or operator that provides for the allocation of responsibilities to ensure compliance with this chapter.
§ 3.2-5160. Micro market establishment authorized.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the owner or operator of a micro market shall not be required to have a person present or overseeing the micro market, as otherwise required by state law, provided that the following requirements are satisfied:
1. The micro market location includes video surveillance that operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week and records customers viewing, selecting, handling, and purchasing products from the micro market, and the automated self-checkout equipment used in the micro market has the capability to match a purchased product with the customer who made the purchase.
2. All products sold at the micro market are for a customer's individual or personal use, including perishable and nonperishable food items and nonconsumable items.
3. The only food sold at the micro market is commercially prepackaged food or ready-to-eat fruit.
4. Prepackaged food sold at the micro market is contained in tamper-evident packaging.
5. Prepackaged food sold at the micro market contains the following information on its packaging: (i) except as exempted under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), nutrition labeling for the food as specified in 21 C.F.R. § 101 and 9 C.F.R. § 317, Subpart B, and (ii) a freshness or expiration date.
6. Refrigerated or frozen food sold in the micro market is stored in a refrigerated cooler or freezer that (i) maintains an internal temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or as otherwise necessary for food safety; (ii) has self-closing doors; (iii) allows the food to be viewed without opening the door to the refrigerated cooler or freezer; and (iv) has an automatic self-locking feature that prevents a consumer from accessing the food upon the occurrence of any condition that results in the failure of the refrigerated cooler or freezer to maintain the internal temperature set forth in this subdivision.
7. The micro market location has a sign that is readily visible from the automated payment kiosk and contains the following information: (i) the name and mailing address of the owner or operator of and, if applicable, the business entity responsible for the micro market to whom complaints and comments should be addressed and (ii) the telephone number, email address, and website information of such owner or operator or responsible business entity. The information on the sign shall be printed in English and may, at the discretion of the owner or operator of the micro market, be printed in any other prevalent language of the customers of the micro market.
2. That the provisions of this act shall not become effective unless an appropriation effectuating the purposes of this act is included in a general appropriation act passed in 2018 by the General Assembly that becomes law.