N.Y. General Business Law § 399-ff: Petting zoos

§ 399-ff. Petting zoos. 1. For purposes of this section the terms:

(a) "petting zoo" shall mean a place where a collection of animals are

kept for the express purpose of viewing, touching, holding and petting

by patrons and visitors to the establishment; and

(b) "hand washing or hand cleansing facility" shall mean any method of

cleansing the hands that kills germs and bacteria including, but not

limited to, soap and running water, anti-bacterial fluids, foams or

gels, and anti-bacterial or antiseptic wipes or towels.

2. All petting zoo operators shall provide and maintain at least one

clearly designated hand washing facility for patrons and visitors to the

establishment to wash or cleanse their hands upon exiting such petting

zoo area. Such hand washing or hand cleansing facility shall be

maintained at or within no more than fifty feet of the exit from such

petting zoo area.

3. Every exit from a petting zoo area shall have a sign conspicuously

posted that shall state, in a clear and legible typeface, the following:

"Animals at petting zoos may carry germs and bacteria that cause

disease. It is strongly recommended that persons wash their hands upon

exiting the petting zoo area". Such sign shall also indicate the

direction in which such hand washing or hand cleansing facility is

located.

4. Any operator of a petting zoo who fails to maintain a hand washing

or hand cleansing facility and proper signage in violation of this

section shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount of up to five

hundred dollars.