R81-1-24. Responsible Alcohol Service Plan

(1) Authority. This rule is pursuant to the commission's powers and duties under 32B-2-202 to act as a general policymaking body on the subject of alcoholic beverage control; set policy by written rules that establish criteria and procedures for suspending or revoking licenses; and prescribe the conduct and management of any premises upon which alcoholic beverages may be sold, consumed, served, or stored.

(2) Purpose. This rule allows the commission to require a business licensed by the commission to sell, serve or store alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises that has been found by the commission to have violated any provision of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act relating to the sale, service, or furnishing of alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated person, or to a person under the age of 21, to have a written Responsible Alcohol Service Plan.

(3) Definitions.

(a) "Commission" means the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.

(b) "Department" means the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

(c) "Intoxication" and "intoxicated" are as defined in 32B-1-102(48).

(d) "Licensed Business" is a person or business entity licensed by the commission to sell, serve, and store alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises of the business.

(e) "Manager" means a person chosen or appointed to manage, direct, or administer the operations at a licensed business. A manager may also be a supervisor.

(f) "Responsible Alcohol Service Plan" or "Plan" means a written set of policies and procedures of a licensed business that outline measures that will be taken by the business to prevent employees of the licensed business from:

(i) over-serving alcoholic beverages to customers;

(ii) serving alcoholic beverages to customers who are actually, apparently, or obviously intoxicated; and

(iii) serving alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21.

(h) "Server" means an employee who actually makes available, serves to, or provides an alcoholic beverage to a customer for consumption on the business premises.

(i) "Supervisor" means an employee who, under the direction of a manager or owner, directs or has the responsibility to direct, transfer, or assign duties to employees who actually provide alcoholic beverages to customers on the premises of the business.

(4) Application of Rule.

(a)(i) The commission may direct that a licensed business that has been found by the commission to have violated any provision of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act relating to the sale, service, or furnishing of alcoholic beverages to an intoxicated person, or to a person under the age of 21, submit to the department a Responsible Alcohol Service Plan.

(ii) The licensee thereafter shall maintain a Plan as a condition of continued licensing and relicensing by the commission.

(b) Any Plan at a minimum shall:

(i) outline the policies and procedures of the licensed business to:

(A) prevent over-service of alcohol;

(B) prevent service of alcohol to persons who are intoxicated;

(C) prevent service of alcohol to persons under the age of 21;

(D) provide alternate transportation options for problem customers; and

(E) deal with hostile customers;

(ii) require that all managers, supervisors, servers, security personnel, and others who are involved in the sale, service or furnishing of alcohol, agree to follow the policies and procedures of the Plan;

(iii) require adherence to the Plan as a condition of employment;

(iv) require a commitment by management to monitor employee compliance with the Plan;

(v) require periodic training sessions on the house policies and procedures in the Plan, and on the techniques of responsible service of alcohol taught in the Alcohol Training and Education Seminar required by 62A-15-401, such as:

(A) identifying legal forms of ID, checking ID, and recognizing fake ID;

(B) identifying persons under the age of 21;

(C) discussing the legal definition of intoxication;

(D) identifying behavioral signs of intoxication;

(E) discussing techniques for monitoring and controlling consumption such as:

(1) drink counting;

(2) slowing down alcohol service;

(3) offering food or nonalcoholic beverages; and

(4) cutting off alcohol service;

(F) discussing third party or "dram shop" liability for the unlawful service of alcohol to intoxicated persons and persons under the age of 21 as outlined in 32B-15; and

(G) discussing the potential criminal, civil and administrative penalties for over-serving alcohol, selling, serving, or otherwise furnishing alcohol to persons who are intoxicated, or to persons who are under the age of 21.

(c) The licensed business may choose to include in the Plan incentives for those employees who deserve special recognition for their responsible service of alcohol.

(d) The Plan shall be available on the premises of the licensed business so as to be accessible to all employees of the licensed business who are involved in the sale, service or furnishing of alcohol.

(e) The Plan shall be available on the premises of the licensed business for inspection by representatives of the commission, department and by law enforcement officers.

(f) Any licensed business that fails to submit to the department a Plan as directed by the commission pursuant to Subsection (4)(a), or to have a Plan available for inspection as required by Subsection (4)(e), shall be subject to the immediate suspension or revocation of its current license, and shall not be granted a renewal of its license by the commission.

(g) The department, at the request of a licensed business, may provide assistance in the preparation of a Plan.