Senate bill · S10481 (2025-26)
Relates to preventative safety tools at certain establishments which hold a liquor license
New York State Senate
Summary
Requires an applicant for a new license to sell liquor and the holder of an existing liquor license to offer preventative safety tools, including drink covers, to customers and to post a related notice containing certain specified language.
Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries
Amends the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 21, 2026. About our data
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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo
Section 1 amends section 65-f of the alcoholic beverage control law to read, preventive safety tools meaning straws and other devices including but not limited to drink covers. An applicant for a license issue pursuant to this article or holder of an existing license shall offer to their customers preventative safety tools, while expressly allowing licenses the option to sell them, provide them free of charge, or distribute them through third-party or sponsored programs. A licensee subject to subdivision two of this section shall post the following notice in a prominent and conspicuous location: "Safety First, Never Leave Your Drink Unattended! Drink Lids are available here. Ask a staff member for details." This section should not prevent a licensee from offering preventative safety tools to their customers free of charge. A licensee should not be held liable for defective preventative safety tools. A licensee shall ensure that all preventative safety tools offered to customers have not exceeded the expiration date or recommended period of use, according to the product label, product packaging, or otherwise recommended by the manufacturer. A violation of this section is not a crime. The authority shall post on its internet website a link to a page that contains information about the requirements of this section, including, but not limited to, the signage that is required to be posted and the types of preventative safety tools that are required to be available on a licensed premises. Section 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundredth day after it shall have become law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)
Where it stands
Assigned to a committee for review.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Up for a vote
- Passed one chamber
- Passed
- Enacted
Committee
Commerce, Economic Development And Small Business · New York State Senate
The sponsor's argument
Why Jessica Scarcella-Spanton says this is needed
Implementing safety lids for alcoholic beverages in bars is a crucial step toward improving customer safety, public health, and business responsibility. Proper signage for customers also is critically impor- tant. Safety lids help reduce the risk of drink tampering, including the addition of drugs or other harmful substances without a patron's know- ledge. This concern is especially significant in crowded nightlife envi- ronments where drinks are often left unattended or carried through dense crowds. Safety lids also provide practical benefits by reducing accidental spills, protecting drinks from contamination, and improving sanitation standards. In outdoor venues, clubs, concerts, or high-traffic bars, lids can help maintain beverage quality while minimizing waste and cleanup costs. From a business perspective, offering safety lids demonstrates that a bar prioritizes customer well-being and proactive risk prevention. This can strengthen customer trust, improve the establishment's reputation, and potentially reduce liability associated with drink tampering inci- dents. As public awareness around personal safety in nightlife settings continues to grow, safety lids can serve as a visible commitment to creating a safer and more responsible social environment. Overall, safety lids are a low-cost, practical measure that supports safer nightlife experiences while benefiting both patrons and bar opera- tors.
This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.
Full history
- May 15, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO COMMERCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL BUSINESS
NY Senate