OK: New alcohol rules to take effect – Businesses urged to ensure full licensing, training
By Dorothy Ballard
July 31, 2018
Local businesses are being urged to ensure all licensing is in order and to seek free supplemental training ahead of the new rules that will take effect in the state on Oct. 1 for the sale of high-point beer and wine.
MIAMI – In just over two months new rules pertaining to the sale of alcohol will take effect in Oklahoma and local businesses are being urged to ensure all of their licensing is in order and to seek free supplemental training.
“With the changes in alcohol sales set to take effect in October, now is the time for area businesses to equip their managers and staff with the free training we provide to help them sell and serve responsibly,” said Clarissa Sumpter, Ottawa County Preventionist with ROCMND RPC. “It is also important that businesses licensed to sell alcohol make sure individual licenses have been managed so they are fully compliant.”
In Nov. 2016 Oklahomans approved State Question 792, which along with other revisions, allows for the sale of wine and high-point beer in convenience and grocery stores beginning Oct. 1, 2018.
ROCMND RPC, which among its missions facilitates training and other needed provisions in combatting alcohol misuse, recently facilitated free alcohol service and sales training for Ottawa County businesses.
The Responsible Beverage Service and Sales (RBSS) Training provides clerks, servers, and managers with the knowledge and skills needed to sell and serve alcoholic beverages safely, responsibly and legally, according to ROCMND.
A morning and afternoon session were held at the Ottawa County Courthouse Annex in Miami on July 24 led by Captain Erik Smoot with the Oklahoma ABLE Commission.
The mission of the ABLE Commission is to protect the public welfare and interest in the enforcement of the laws pertaining to alcoholic beverages, charity games and youth access to tobacco.
During the training, Smoot provided guidance on understanding legal and social responsibilities in alcohol sales, identifying the use of a fake ID, recognizing signs of intoxication and examples of alcohol policies to promote best practices.
Smoot also addressed the new laws that will take effect at the beginning of October, which includes the need for all Oklahoma servers and sellers to have an individual liquor license in order to sell alcohol. This requirement is in addition to the business’ liquor license.
While supplemental ABLE approved training like the RBSS sessions provided through ROCMND are currently voluntary for individual licensees, Smoot explained it would be a requirement after Oct. 1.
“In the state of Oklahoma, based on the new alcohol laws, anyone applying for an employee license with the Oklahoma ABLE Commission after Oct. 1, 2018, will be required to attend an ABLE approved training course,” said Smoot.
Without complete licensing, businesses will also not be able to sell any beer, high-point or 3.2, beginning Oct. 1.
“Oklahoma beer retailers must have their license applications into the ABLE Commission now,” said Lisette Barnes, president of the Oklahoma Beer Alliance (OBA). “If they do not, they’re at risk of not being allowed to sell any beer on October 1.”
Barnes also advised that businesses must have a Certificate of Compliance from their local city or municipality and an Interim Retail License from the Oklahoma ABLE Commission to sell high-point beer.
Compliance information and online applications for licenses are available on the ABLE Commission website, www.able.ok.gov.
Ottawa County businesses interested in receiving RBSS training should contact Heather Ramseyer at 918-256-7518. Training is free.
ROCMND RPC is funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS).