This article discusses a South Carolina bill related to alcohol sales and liability, debated by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee. Known as the Dram Shop bill, it aims to hold businesses and servers accountable for selling alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals or minors if those sales lead to harm.
Sponsored by Senator Michael Johnson, the bill seeks to lower insurance premiums for businesses by reducing liability-related incidents.
Attorney Kenneth Berger raised concerns about loopholes in the bill’s language, suggesting a clear prohibition on serving minors to avoid ambiguity.
He emphasized that even a small amount of alcohol could impair minors differently than adults and recommended drawing a strict line against serving underage patrons.
Senator Shane Massey expressed reservations about servers being held liable for harm caused by intoxicated patrons, questioning whether their actions directly contribute to injuries. Berger proposed requiring alcohol training courses for servers to promote responsible service practices.
The proposed legislation reflects broader efforts to balance public safety, business liability, and regulatory clarity in alcohol service laws.