Bill
S 3216
Requires restaurants and liquor sellers to provide tangible, printed menus on request, boosting accessibility and transparency for customers.
Overview
- Purpose: To require restaurants and other entities authorized to sell alcoholic beverages to have tangible (physical) menus available to customers upon request.
- Status: Referred to Consumer Protection; subsequently moved to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs for consideration.
- Introduced: November 19, 2025
- Primary Sponsor: Senator Brian Kavanagh
- Related/Companion Bills:
- S 6597 (prior-session)
- A 2412 (companion, in the House)
What the bill would do
- Core requirement: Any restaurant or other person licensed to sell alcoholic beverages must have tangible, physical menus available for customers who request them.
- Scope: Applies to entities “restaurants and persons authorized to sell alcoholic beverages,” which includes typical dining establishments and similar liquor-licensed venues.
Who would be affected
- Affected entities:
- Restaurants
- Bars, pubs, taverns
- Hotels, clubs, catering operations, and other licensees permitted to sell alcohol
- Customers: Individuals visiting these establishments who request a physical menu would be entitled to receive one.
Key provisions and potential considerations
- Accessibility and transparency: The bill emphasizes the availability of a tangible menu upon request, potentially supporting customers who prefer printed representations of beverage options or who have access needs that are better served by printed materials.
- Operational impact: Establishments may need to maintain an adequate supply of printed menus and ensure staff are prepared to provide them promptly upon request.
- Compliance and enforcement: The text provided does not specify enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or a timetable for implementing the requirement. Details on how violations would be addressed are not included in the summary provided.
- Relationship to digital menus: The bill’s focus on tangible menus “upon request” does not appear to prohibit digital menus, but it requires physical copies to be available if requested.
Procedural and timeline notes
- The bill has undergone multiple referrals:
- Initially referred to Consumer Protection on January 24, 2025
- On November 19, 2025, it was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in the Senate
- Next steps (typical path): If advanced, the committee would review, possibly amend, and vote on the bill before it moves to full chamber consideration.
Impact context
- The bill aims to increase consumer options and transparency regarding alcoholic beverage offerings through physical menus, with a focus on ensuring accessibility for those who request a tangible listing of options.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
