Gov. Patrick Signs New 'Potluck Dinner' Legislation

A new law authored by State Rep. Louis Kafka (D-Stoughton) regarding potluck dinners was signed into law this week, according to an announcement on Thursday.

The new law, “An Act relative to potluck events,” exempts potluck dinners from certain regulations that were not intended to be used against them, according to Kafkas announcement.

The bill, which Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law on Tuesday, Aug. 5, is now Ch. 230 of the Acts of 2014, according to the announcement.

Potlucks, as such, are now defined as “events that are not conducted for commercial purposes, where people gather to share food, and there is no compensation provided to those bringing food,” the announcement reads. Moreover, participants in potlucks need to be informed that facilities used to prepare food that is offered, and not the food itself, was not inspected by state or local health departments.

“It was brought to my attention that there was some confusion about regulations promulgated by the Department of Public Health, with regard to food preparation for potluck dinners,” Kafka said in a statement. “Food safety regulations are important, bu the lack of clarity was threatening to cause, and in some cases already caused, several of these time-honored community staples to be shut down.”