Late last month the Senate Governmental Organization Committee voted 10-0 to approve legislation that would require all servers of alcoholic beverages in California to undergo training aimed at preventing drunk driving.
Drafted by California Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), Assembly Bill 2121 would require all restaurant and bar employees who sell alcohol or serve alcohol in California to participate in mandatory training on preventing patrons from driving drunk. Eighteen other states and the District of Columbia have required mandatory training on DUI-prevention.
Currently the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) provides a free and voluntary program in California. While some local governments have made training mandatory, there is no requirement that training be mandatory throughout California.
“Innocent people are put at risk every day when drunk people get behind the wheel, and preventable tragedies rip apart families and communities while we wait to act,” said Gonzalez. “Preparing our servers to effectively intervene before reckless behavior destroys lives adds an easy line of defense to keep our communities safe.”
AB 2121 is coauthored by Assembly member Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) and Senator Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), sponsored by the California Medical Association, and supported by health and public safety organizations including the California Police Chiefs Association, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, American Academy of Pediatrics, California, County Health Executives Association of California, Alcohol Justice and the San Diego Police Officers Association. It will next be considered in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
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