(a) All businesses, as defined in paragraph (1) of section 500t, are prohibited from providing disposable, plastic drinking straws and plastic, tubular stirrers, plastic checkout bags and non-recyclable paper bags to their customers at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting groceries or other merchandise. Nothing in this section precludes a business from making available to customers, with or without charge, at the point of sale:
(1) reusable bags, or recyclable paper bags for the purpose of transporting groceries or other merchandise;
(2) non-recyclable paper bags to protect or transport prepared foods, beverages, or bakery goods; or
(3) reusable drinking straws.
(b) All businesses identified in section 500t are prohibited from purchasing or importing disposable, plastic drinking straws and plastic tubular stirrers into the Territory.
(c) This section does not apply to:
(1) Hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and medical supply retailers;
(2) The importation, sale, purchase, or distribution of disposable, plastic drinking straws to a person for whom non-plastic alternatives are unsuitable due to a mental or physical condition that qualifies as a disability pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 USC § 2102).