Bill > AB668

This bill addresses drink spiking and safety at large outdoor events by requiring event licensees who sell alcoholic beverages to implement several protective measures. Starting July 1, 2026, and continuing until January 1, 2029, licensees obtaining catering or daily on-sale licenses for events with over 10,000 daily participants must offer drug testing devices (like test strips or stickers) at a reasonable cost, provide drink lids upon request, and post a notice about drink spiking prevention. If a customer reports a potential drink spiking incident, the licensee must contact law enforcement or emergency services and provide relevant information such as positive test results, observed drink tampering, or symptoms consistent with drink spiking. The bill defines drink spiking as adding controlled substances (like GHB or ketamine) to a drink without the person's consent and specifies that licensees who follow manufacturer instructions for testing devices cannot be held liable for test results. Importantly, violations are not considered criminal offenses, and a first violation will result only in a warning from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The law aims to increase safety and awareness around drink spiking at large outdoor events by providing tools and protocols for prevention and response.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB668