What's happening
This bill requires bars and restaurants to post signs about safe transportation and assist patrons in obtaining alternative transportation if requested.
Why it matters
Increases public awareness of safe transportation options. by requiring prominently posted signage in all bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, reminding patrons of the risks of drinking and driving and notifying them that help is available to obtain alternative transportation.
Mandates a minimum level of assistance from staff. If a patron requests help, the establishment must place at least one local call to a transportation service (like a taxi or ride-share), or allow the patron to make such a call themselves if no service is available or responsive.
Limits liability and burden on businesses. by clarifying that establishments aren’t responsible if phone service is unavailable or if the transportation service fails to respond, and sets a modest maximum fine ($100) for non-compliance, reducing the risk of heavy penalties.
Targets practical barriers to safe choices. by requiring direct action from establishments (offering use of a phone), which could make it easier for impaired individuals to get home safely and potentially reduce alcohol-related accidents and DUIs.
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Who cares
Bars, restaurants and other on-premises alcohol licensees
They would have to display the required sign and help patrons arrange alternative transportation when requested, with fines of up to $100 for violations.
State Liquor Authority
The authority would have to prepare, print and distribute signs statewide to on-premises alcohol licensees.
Patrons seeking alternative transportation
They could request help placing a local call to a transportation service and, if service is unavailable or unresponsive, make one local call on their own behalf.
Local transportation services
They would be the first contact for licensees helping patrons obtain alternative transportation.
Headline styles
Post Safe Ride Signs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4904
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 3, 2017
Introduced by Sens. DIAZ, AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
AN ACT to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to the posting of a sign alerting patrons who consume alcohol that assistance in obtaining safe transportation shall be provided
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The alcoholic beverage control law is amended by adding a new section 105-c to read as follows:
§ 105-c. Sign posting and alternative transportation assistance. 1. The authority shall prepare, have printed and distribute across the state to all persons with a license to sell any alcoholic beverage for consumption on the premises, a sign or poster with conspicuous lettering that states: "Drinking and driving don't mix. If requested, management will assist you in placing one local call in an effort to obtain alternative transportation." Such sign or poster must have conspicuous lettering in at least seventy-two point bold face type that states the notice set forth in this subdivision.
2. All persons with a license to sell any alcoholic beverage for consumption on the premises shall display in a conspicuous place the sign or poster upon receiving it from the authority.
3. Persons with a license to sell any alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises shall assist patrons in obtaining alternative transportation should it be requested pursuant to subdivision one of this section. Assistance shall be provided by placing a minimum of one local telephone call to a local transportation service, and in areas where a local transportation service is not available or in cases where such local transportation service does not respond to a request for service, allow the patron to place one local telephone call on their own behalf in an effort to obtain alternative transportation. No require-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07233-01-7
S. 4904 2
ment will be placed on the licensee should telephone service be unavailable at the time of the request nor shall the licensee be liable for any failure on the part of the transportation service or the alternative transportation to respond to the request for service.
4. Any person with such license who violates the provisions of subdivision two or three of this section shall be subject to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of October next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to the posting of a sign alerting patrons who consume alcohol that assistance in obtaining safe transportation shall be provided
Purpose or general idea of bill
To reduce the incidence of driving while intoxicated by requiring licensees to post a sign stating that, if requested, management will place a phone call in order to provide patrons with safe transportation:
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law by adding a new Section 105-c. Requires the State Liquor Authority to have a sign or poster distributed to all on-premises licensees stating: "Driving and drinking don't mix. If requested, management will assist you in placing one local call in an effort to obtain alternative transportation." Requires such sign to be conspicuously lettered in at least 72-point type. Requires licensees to display the sign or poster in a conspicuous place. Provides that licensees shall assist patrons in obtaining alternative transportation by calling a local transportation service or allowing the patron to make one local call on their own behalf to arrange for such transportation. Provides that the licensee shall not be held liable due to the failure of the transportation service or alternative transportation to respond. Establishes penalties not to exceed $100.
Section 2. Effective Date
Effects of present law which this bill would alter
While many on-premises establishments will gladly make a call to keep an intoxicated patron from getting behind the wheel, there is currently no posting requirement to alert customers to that possibility.
Justification
Numerous fatalities and accidents occur after an individual who has been drinking alcohol in an establishment gets behind the wheel of a car and attempts to drive home or elsewhere. These unfortunate occurrences may be avoided if such patrons are made aware that there are other means by which they may safely get to their next destination. This bill would seek to notify such patrons of the available alternatives by requiring posting of a sign alerting them that the management of the establishment is ready, willing and able to place a phone call on their behalf to a friend, family member or taxicab company in order to provide them with an alternative form of transportation. This will not only benefit the patron of the establishment, but will also benefit the establishment and the public by avoiding the potential results of driving while intoxicated.
Existing law
None.
Prior legislative history
2016: S.257 - REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS/A.6736 - referred to economic development
2015: S.257 - REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS/A.6736 - referred to economic development 2014 S.296 - Referred to Investigations and Government Operations/A.3898 - Held for consideration in Economic Development 2013: S.296 - Referred to Referred to Investigations and Government Operations/A.3898 Referred to Economic Development 2012: S.313 - Committee Discharged and Committed to Rules/A.9198 - Held for consideration in Economic Development 2011: S.313 - Advanced to 3rd Reading/A.9198 - Referred to Economic Development 2009-10: S.3094 - Referred to Investigations and Government Operations/A.8606 - Referred to Economic Development 2007-08: S.773 Referred to Investigations and Government Operations/A.2286 Referred to Economic Development 2005-06: S.826 Referred to Investigations and Government Operations/A.4188 Referred to Economic Development 2004: S.5606 - Referred to Investigations and Government Operations/A.9125 Referred to Economic Development 2003: S.5606 - Passed Senate/A.9125 Referred to Economic Development
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
The first of October after becoming law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.