House Bill 411 Imposes Training Requirements on Cecil County Liquor Licensees
On April 10, 2018 the Governor signed House Bill 411 imposing more stringent training requirements on Cecil County liquor licensees. The legislation was approved by the General Assembly after testimony was given in February 2018 by Step Mika, Chief Inspector Earl Bradford, and Liquor Board Chairman Tim Snelling. No witnesses opposed the bill before the General Assembly. Cecil County joins a number of other counties requiring a trained employee be on the premises while alcohol is or may be served to the public. The bill also requires that each bartender receive state approved training. Bartenders were not specifically required to be trained before, however, the Bill did not define the term “bartender.” Previously, licensees in Cecil County were required to have at least one certified employee on staff, though not necessarily on the premises at all times.
The training itself, while minimal, can be difficult to attend for part-time employees who have full-time day jobs because the Comptroller approved trainings that occur in Cecil County typically take place during the day on weekdays. A licensee violating the provision is subject to a $100 fine for a first offense. Licensees should have evidence of training (usually in the form of a wallet sized card) readily available for inspectors. Inspectors are required by statute to conduct quarterly inspections. See Alcoholic Beverages Code §17–205(d).
The Cecil County Strategic Prevention Framework, Drug Free Cecil, and other organizations believe this training requirement will lessen binge drinking. See April 26, 2018 Cecil Whig article. The new requirements take effect on July 1, 2018.