Download the full document, HERE.

Washington’s Good Samaritan Food Donation Act was enacted to encourage individuals and gleaners to donate food to charitable organizations. It purports to protect from civil and criminal liability individuals or gleaners who donate food products or make their land available to others.

The Food Donation Act was enacted in 1994 in Washington. It was based on a model act that in 1998 was enacted into federal law as the “Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.” While these food donation laws appear to offer some protection for individuals donating food, the actual liability protection offered by these statutes is minimal.

To view the full Act, RCW 69.80.031, please visit the Washington State Legislature website, here.