N.Y. Public Health Law § 1311: Hand washing facilities at certain public establishments featuring animals

§ 1311. Hand washing facilities at certain public establishments

featuring animals. 1. All public establishments including, but not

limited to, carnivals, fairs and amusement parks, as such terms are

defined in section eight hundred seventy-c of the labor law, farms, and

farmers' markets, as such term is defined in section two hundred sixty

of the agriculture and markets law, which feature displays of live

animals that patrons may reasonably be expected to come into physical

contact with for the purpose of touching, holding or petting shall

provide hand washing or hand cleansing facilities for such patrons. Hand

washing or hand cleansing facilities may be temporary or permanent

fixtures and shall include one or more of the following: soap and

running water; anti-bacterial fluids, foams or gels; or anti-bacterial

or antiseptic wipes or towels.

2. Signs shall be conspicuously posted and shall state in a clear and

legible typeface, the following: "Animals may carry germs and bacteria

that can cause disease to people. It is strongly recommended that

persons wash or cleanse their hands after touching, holding or petting

the animals." Such signs shall also indicate where the hand washing or

hand cleansing facility is located.

3. The commissioner may make rules guarding against the spread of

bacteria and viruses at public establishments that feature animals as

provided in subdivision one of this section, to persons employed at or

to patrons of such establishments where such establishments are located

outside the city of New York, and where such establishments are located

within the city of New York, the commissioner of public health of the

city of New York may make and enforce such rules.