California Bill Threatens Waiters With Jail for Providing Plastic Straws
Waiters could face criminal penalties for giving straws to customers if a recently proposed California bill goes into effect.
California Assemblyman Ian Calderon, the Democratic majority leader of the state Assembly, has introduced a bill into the state’s lower House that would make it a criminal offense for restaurant employees to provide patrons with single-use plastic straws unless a patron specifically requests one. The measure would only apply to sit-down restaurants, and not fast food or similar locations.
Each such action would constitute a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine....