B 25-0056 District of Columbia · 25th Council Period (2023-2024)

Dram Shop Clarification Amendment Act of 2023 (now known as "Restaurant Revitalization and Dram Shop Clarification Amendment Act of 2023")

This bill clarifies the legal liability of restaurants and bars in the District of Columbia regarding the sale of alcohol to minors or visibly intoxicated individuals. It establishes that an establishment is only financially responsible for injuries caused by a customer if it knowingly served alcohol to someone under 21 or to someone showing clear signs of intoxication at the time of service. Additionally, the legislation restricts lawsuits to third parties, such as family members, rather than allowing the intoxicated person or their estate to sue, unless the person was under 18. The act also creates a new manager's license endorsement that allows business owners to register up to five employees as approved managers for a fee.
Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2023
Committee Review
Jan 2024
Council Passage
Mar 2024
Signed into Law
Jun 2024
Introduced Jan 20, 2023 Signed Jun 7, 2024
Floor votes · Council Mar 5, 2024

How they voted

12–1
Passed
Total votes 13
Mar 5, 2024
D Democratic11
10 Yea 1 Nay
90% Yea
I Independent2
2 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
33
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
9
Mar 5, 2024
Council · Passed
Council Vote: pass (12-1)
council
Mar 5, 2024
Introduced
Allen Oral Amendment
legislature
Mar 5, 2024
Introduced
Mendelson Oral Amendment
legislature
Mar 5, 2024
Introduced
Amendment #3 (Mendelson, Pinto & Bonds)
legislature
Mar 5, 2024
Introduced
Frumin Oral Amendment
legislature
Mar 5, 2024
Introduced
Amendment #2 (Mendelson, Pinto & Bonds)
legislature
Mar 5, 2024
Introduced
Amendment #1 (Mendelson, Pinto & Bonds)
legislature
Feb 6, 2024
Introduced
Agendized; not considered at the request of Amendment #2 (Mendelson, Bonds, Pinto)
legislature
Feb 6, 2024
Introduced
Agendized; not considered at the request of Amendment #1 (Mendelson, Bonds, Pinto)
legislature
Feb 6, 2024
Introduced
Agendized; not considered at the request of Amendment (Lewis George)
legislature
Jan 17, 2024
Legislature · Passed
Committee Mark-up of B25-0056 by the Business and Economic Development Committee
legislature
Feb 7, 2023
Committee
Referred to Committee on Business and Economic Development
legislature
Jan 20, 2023
Introduced
B25-0056 Introduced by Councilmember Pinto at Office of the Secretary
legislature
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Brooke Pinto
Brooke Pinto
DDemocratic
DC
Ward 2