Z-0534.1  _______________________________________________

 

                         SENATE BILL 5174

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1995 Regular Session

 

By Senators Heavey, Newhouse, Bauer and Oke; by request of Liquor Control Board

 

Read first time 01/13/95.  Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce & Trade.

 

Requiring alcohol server training for all persons selling or serving liquor.



    AN ACT Relating to mandatory server training; and adding new sections to chapter 66.28 RCW.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 66.28 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The board shall administer a mandatory alcohol server training program for board liquor stores and agencies and all holders of annual liquor licenses that allow retail sales of liquor.  The board shall review and certify training programs that fulfill the basic requirements set forth by the board.  The training shall include information designed to enhance and increase a server's overall knowledge and understanding of such activities as how to check for proper identification, how to recognize persons who are displaying apparent signs of intoxication, and how to refuse service to these people.  Programs such as the nationally recognized training for intervention programs or techniques in alcohol management programs may be used as examples of the type of training the board will consider as meeting the objectives.

    (2) All holders of annual retail liquor licenses shall train their employees using programs certified by the board.  A complete list of individuals attending and completing such training programs shall be maintained by the licensee for a period of at least five years.

    (3) Upon completion of the training, the approved training provider shall issue a certificate of completion, provided by the board, to the employee indicating the date the course was given and the licensee's license number and address and bearing the signatures of the individual providing the training and the employee receiving the training.  The certificate of completion shall be valid for a period of five years from the date of issue.

    (4) In the event the holder of an annual retail liquor license is unable to personally provide the required training for the employee, the licensee shall work with any of the following to ensure employees are adequately trained:  Private training organizations, industry or trade associations, community or vocation colleges, or, if no other resources are available, the board.

    (5) Individuals who are not employees of an annual retail liquor licensee may obtain the training at their own expense from any of the approved providers identified in subsection (4) of this section.

    (6) All individuals who sell or serve liquor as part of the normal course of employment by annual retail liquor licensees must have a valid certificate of completion available for inspection by board staff or law enforcement officers.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 66.28 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The board shall take administrative action against the license held by an annual retail liquor licensee for noncompliance with the mandatory liquor server training program.

    (2) Penalties assessed by the board to an employee who sells or serves liquor as a part of the work assignment to obtain and possess a valid certificate of completion shall not exceed the following:

    (a) A monetary penalty of fifty dollars for the first violation;

    (b) A monetary penalty of one hundred fifty dollars for the second violation if the employee has failed to obtain the certificate of completion within sixty days of the first violation.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 66.28 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The mandatory liquor server training program shall go into effect January 1, 1996, at which time approved training providers may commence training programs that have been certified as meeting the board's requirements.

    (2) After January 1, 1998, no annual retail liquor licensee may employ anyone who sells or serves liquor unless the employee is trained and certified within thirty days of employment.

 


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