Newsom signed a new bill into law on Sept. 21, which removed the expiration date for the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act. The act regulates the process of applying, issuing and suspending alcoholic beverage licenses along with requirements for license holders, according to CalMatters Digital Democracy database.
The regulations have existed since 2024. The act eliminates the expiration date for an act requiring bars to provide drink lids upon request and an act requiring bars to provide drug-testing devices to patrons, according to SF.gov.
Bars and nightclubs must also post notices in their store and on their websites about their product stock, so patrons can check the availability beforehand.
Hayley Devin, public information officer for Alcoholic Beverage Control of San Luis Obispo County, adds detail on the requirements for bars and nightclubs.
Type 48 licensees must offer drink lids and drink-spiking drug test kits that detect at least one of the three most common drink-spiking drugs: ketamine, Rohypnol or GHB and provide them at low or no cost to customers, according to Devin.
The devices may include test strips, stickers, straws or similar tools, according to Devin.
Devin said ABC agents do periodic inspections at licensed establishments and educate staff, management and licensees on compliance issues noted during those inspections.
Ela Wojewoda, a political science and public health junior, said the availability of the testing kits and drink covers would make her feel safer at a bar.
“I think it can bring awareness to the issue of drink spiking, which can initially make people feel uncomfortable,” Wojewoda said. “But these things happen no matter if we talk about them or not, so I would rather bring awareness and provide prevention tools than do nothing at all.”