A bill forcing Baltimore restaurants closed by health inspectors to post signs detailing their violations is headed to the City Council for expected approval.
The legislation — which also requires the Health Department to post real-time information online about the closures — was approved 9-0 Tuesday by council members acting as a committee of the whole. The matter will go before the full council next month.
"Businesses will no longer be able to hide or lie about the reasons they are closing," said Councilman Brandon M. Scott, the bill's sponsor.
The city has about 5,000 restaurants and carryouts, and health inspectors close about 100 a year for various violations. About 35 have been closed this year.
A spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said she supports the legislation, saying the public should have more access to information about the health inspections.
"The Health Department has been working with Councilman Scott on this proposal," spokesman Howard Libit said.
Under the current system, restaurants are not required to post an explanation when they're closed by the Health Department. The public also has to wait about a month to find information on the agency's website detailing why restaurants have been closed.
Scott has been pushing for the city to provide more details to the public about restaurant inspections. His bill to require restaurants and carryouts to post grades based on health violations was defeated in March by a single vote. It had previously languished in committee because not enough members showed up for a quorum.
Scott said he has wide support for the legislation in its current form.
"People deserve this," he said. "Go to East Baltimore and West Baltimore, and you will find these carryouts and these places that are constantly closed for rat infestation, not cooling the meat the right way. All of that stuff deals with people's health."
While some restaurant owners fought Scott's proposal for restaurant grading, the councilman said he doesn't expect broad industry opposition to the current legislation.
The Restaurant Association of Maryland did not take a position on the bill.
The full council is expected to vote on the measure July 20. In the meantime, Scott said, he will continue posting details about restaurant closures on his social media accounts.
"This will be something that brings the city into to the 21st century and in line with other cities across the country," Scott said.
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