Connecticut House Bill HB05280

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/11
• Refer: 1/14/11

Caption

An Act Requiring Free Water At Certain Events Where Alcoholic Liquor Is Served.

Impact

If enacted, HB 5280 would impact both the regulations surrounding alcoholic beverage permits and the operational practices of establishments that serve alcohol. Requiring free access to drinking water would necessitate that event organizers and venue operators ensure adequate water supply and implement measures to inform attendees about its availability. This could potentially increase the operational costs for some businesses as they adapt to comply with the new requirement.

Summary

House Bill 5280 proposes to amend the general statutes to ensure that free drinking water is made available at events where alcoholic liquor is served. Specifically, it requires holders of alcoholic liquor permits to provide drinking water free of charge to attendees at public events hosted on their premises. This initiative is aimed at promoting public health and safety, particularly in environments where alcohol consumption poses risks such as dehydration or other health issues.

Contention

The bill may attract discussions regarding its implementation, specifically around what constitutes a reasonable provision of free drinking water. Some stakeholders could argue that the requirements might incur burdens on smaller venues that host events. Conversely, advocates for the bill may highlight the ethical responsibility of establishments serving alcohol to promote responsible drinking and protect the health of their patrons. The potential for differing interpretations of compliance and enforcement mechanisms could be points of contention as well.