Ohio lawmakers could require state-approved training for anyone who serves alcohol

COSHOCTON − A new law being considered by Ohio legislators could change the responsibility restaurants and bars have for customers consuming alcohol at their establishments. And at least one local establishment is on board.

House Bill 504 would require state-approved training for all liquor permit holders and their employees, as reported by the Columbus Dispatch. The training would include laws on alcohol sales, preventing sales to underage people, recognizing when to stop serving alcohol to someone and conflict management skills in alcohol-related situations.

If liquor permit holders and employees complete the training and follow the protocols, they would be immune to personal injury, death or property damage lawsuits.

Establishments around Ohio aren't generally opposed to training, especially if it limits their liability in lawsuits. However, some question the cost and whether it would be effective. They also note many already participate in the TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) and ServSafe alcohol certification programs. Both are skills-based education and training for responsible service, sale and consumption of alcohol, according to the Dispatch.

Origins of the bill

State Rep. Gail Pavliga, R-Atwater, introduced the bill after she was approached by the parents of Hayden Kaiser , a 25-year-old soccer coach from Northfield in northern Summit County who died in 2021 after a car crash.

She said Kaiser had a tab of $170 at a bar and was still allowed to walk outside and get in his car.

"It isn't that the parents think anybody did anything wrong. It's just that they are really looking right now to educate servers about what this would look like, and clearly prevent others from losing their lives," Pavliga told the Dispatch when the bill was introduced.

Jennifer Bushby, communications manager for Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance , said the group is working to understand the full scope of House Bill 504.

“While we work to learn more about the details of this particular legislation, the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance continues to encourage our hospitality community to complete the ServSafe alcohol certification , although it's not mandatory at this time,” Bushby said.

Local response

Jael Malenke, co-owner of Wooly Pig Farm Brewery with Kevin Ely, said they're in favor of standardized training for servers. She said their servers already complete online courses that sound similar to what's being proposed in the bill.

They have several questions as to what the training course proposed would look like. This includes if it would be in-person, will there be options close by their rural establishment and what would be the added expense to the brewery.

"Our goal at the brewery is to encourage responsible drinking and keep folks safe. We've arranged rides for folks or even driven them home on occasion, and education of the servers is part of that goal."

Malenke said they also like the protections the bill would offer to the brewery and employees.

"The brewery is often only one stop in a patron's evening and it is impossible for the bar staff to tell how many a person has had before arriving, what their physical condition is or how many drinks have been purchased for them," she said. "Folks who are drinking do have personal responsibility for their choices."

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Ohio lawmakers could require state-approved training for anyone who serves alcohol