SB-918 • 2026

Food facilities: retail food safety.

Crime Education Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Seyarto
Last action: 2026-04-16
Official status: In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest text do not provide specific details on how much larger than 432 square inches a passthrough window can be.

Retail Food Safety Rules

The bill changes rules about passthrough windows in food facilities, allowing larger sizes and different equipment requirements.

What This Bill Does

Removes the requirement that a 216 square inch solid or screened window must have a self-closing device.
Allows passthrough windows up to 432 square inches if they are equipped with an air curtain device or a self-closing device.
Permits passthrough windows larger than 432 square inches if both an air curtain and self-closing device are used.
Requires that passthrough windows be used only for food delivery operations, not as general entrances or exits.

Who It Names or Affects

Food facilities in California
Local public health agencies

Terms To Know

Passthrough window: A special opening in a food facility that allows food to be passed through without entering the kitchen area.
Air curtain device: A machine that blows air across an opening to prevent insects and dust from coming inside.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much larger than 432 square inches the passthrough window can be.
It's unclear if there will be new costs for food facilities to follow these rules.

Bill History

2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 38. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar.
2026-04-13 California Legislative Information
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to consent calendar.
2026-04-10 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 13.
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (March 25).
2026-03-11 California Legislative Information
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
2026-03-09 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing March 25.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
2026-01-29 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after February 28.
2026-01-28 California Legislative Information
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 918, as amended, Seyarto.
Food facilities: retail food safety.
Existing law, the California Retail Food Code, establishes uniform health and sanitation standards for retail food facilities, which are primarily enforced by local public health agencies. Violation of the California Retail Food Code is a misdemeanor, except as otherwise provided. Existing law limits the size of a passthrough window service opening to 216 square inches, and requires the opening to be provided with a solid or screened window, equipped with a self-closing device. Existing law authorizes a passthrough window of up to 432 square inches if equipped with an air curtain device.
This bill would remove the requirement that the 216 square inch solid or screened window has to be equipped with a self-closing device. The bill would authorize a passthrough window service opening of up to 432 square inches if equipped with an air curtain
device or a self-closing device. The bill would authorize a passthrough window service opening that is larger than 432 square inches if equipped with both a self-closing device and an air curtain device. The bill would
prohibit
require
a passthrough window or other service opening
from being used as an
to be used specifically for food delivery operations and not as a general
entrance or exit for employees or customers. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to
reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF