HB0039 Bland, Mary

C O M M I T T E E

HB 39, HCA 1 -- LIQUOR WARNING SIGNS

SPONSOR: Bland

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Public Health and Safety by a vote of 7 to 0.

This bill requires any person licensed by the Division of Liquor Control to sell or serve alcoholic beverages at an establishment to post a warning sign stating that alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause birth defects. The sign will be displayed in a conspicuous place. Failure to post the sign is an infraction. After the division gives notice to the licensee of the violation, each successive day of violation will be a separate offense. A liquor license may be suspended for violation of the bill.

HCA 1 -- removes the generic names of specific alcoholic beverages that cause fetal alcohol syndrome. The employee from the office of the Supervisor of Liquor Control may use discretion in reporting a violation of this section to the supervisor. Warnings will be issued. Violators are guilty of an infraction.

FISCAL NOTE: Net Effect to General Revenue Fund of $0 in FY 96, $0 in FY 97, & $0 in FY 98.

PROPONENTS: Supporters of the bill say that the March of Dimes has submitted an article on fetal alcohol syndrome to explain the detrimental effects of drinking during pregnancy. People should be provided with this information so that they may be able to make an informed decision.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Bland.

OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that the state should make a sample sign available, remove the penalty, and the sign should not have to be posted at each register. Signs to display should be provided. Grocers are concerned with whether they must display a sign at each register. This warning will not stop the consumption of alcohol by low income persons. Pregnant women who are poor do not go in the substance abuse programs. They have little access to professional service persons or agencies that can treat them.

Testifying against the bill were the Missouri Retailers Association; the Missouri Grocers' Association; and the Missouri Association of Beverage Retailers.

Harolyn Light, Research Analyst