2026 -- H 7975

========

LC005547

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Spears, and Boylan

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Small Business

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     SECTION 1. Chapter 3-7 of the General Laws entitled "Retail Licenses" is hereby amended

2

by adding thereto the following section:

3

     3-7-30. Licensed retailers to provide drink covers upon request.

4

     (a)(1) All holders of retail licenses authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to customers

5

for the purpose of onsite consumption shall upon request, provide a lid with a customer’s drink.

6

For purposes of this section, “lid” means a removable cover of any size that attaches to the rim of

7

a corresponding beverage container. The lid is not required to fit all containers in which alcoholic

8

beverages are served on the premises but shall fit at least one.

9

     (2) A licensee subject to this subsection shall post the following notice in a prominent and

10

conspicuous location:

11

     “Don’t get roofied! Drink lids available here. Ask a staff member for details.”

12

     (b) The licensee may charge an additional fee for providing a lid with a customer’s drink,

13

which shall not exceed a reasonable amount based on the wholesale cost of those lids.

14

     (c) This section does not prevent a licensee from offering lids to their customers free of

15

charge.

16

     (d) A sole violation of this section, including the notice requirement in this section, shall

17

result only in a warning by the department for the first offense.

 

1

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005547

========

 

LC005547 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

***

1

     This act would require licensed retailers authorized to sell intoxicating beverages to

2

provide a lid to a consumer upon request, and further require the licensed retailer to conspicuously

3

post the following notice “Don’t get roofied! Drink lids available here. Ask a staff member for

4

details.”

5

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005547

========

 

LC005547 - Page 3 of 3