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Bill

S 293

St. Matthew Baptist Church 125th anniversary

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Deon Tedder

Requires bars/restaurants to provide drink lids on request and post notices that lids are available, reducing spills and splashes and protecting patrons and staff.

Introduced and adopted
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Bill Summary · S 293

Summary of S.293 / An Act promoting safety in bars and restaurants

Overview

S.293, titled “An Act promoting safety in bars and restaurants,” seeks to enhance on-site safety at establishments that serve alcohol by requiring lids for drinks upon request and by mandating conspicuous notice that lids are available. The measure adds a new Section 79 to Chapter 138 of the General Laws. The act would take effect six months after enactment.

Main purpose and intent

  • Improve safety for patrons and staff by allowing drinks served on the premises to be covered with lids, reducing spills, splashes, and related hazards.
  • Ensure customers are aware that lids are available when they order or receive a beverage.

Key provisions

  • Section 79 (a) Definition of “Lid”

    • A removable cover of any size that attaches to the rim of a beverage.
    • The lid is not required to fit all containers used by the establishment but must fit at least one container.

  • Section 79 (b) Display and accessibility

    • Any establishment that sells alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises must, upon request, provide a lid with the customer’s drink.
    • The owner or person in charge must post a notice informing patrons that lids are available in a prominent and conspicuous location.

  • Effective date

    • The act would go into effect six months after enactment.

Who is affected

  • On-premises alcohol-serving establishments (bars, restaurants, and other venues where alcohol is consumed on-site).
  • Patrons who request a lid for their drink.
  • Management and staff responsible for implementing the lid availability and posting requirement.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Introduced: January 29, 2025
  • Filed as Senate Docket No. 2402; Senate No. 293
  • Initially referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure (Feb 27, 2025)
  • Reported favorably by committee and referred to the Senate Ways and Means (November 19, 2025)
  • Additional actions listed include a hearing scheduled for July 7, 2025 (A-2)
  • Status noted: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means

Sponsors

  • Primary: John C. Velis
  • Co-sponsors (as listed): Pavel M. Payano; John Barrasso; Katie Britt; Roger F. Wicker; Mike Rounds; Ted Cruz; James E. Risch (Note: Some names appear to be indistinguishable from federal officials; the document lists these individuals as sponsors alongside Velis.)

Related information

  • Related bill reference: SD 2402 (replaces)
  • The bill’s language is focused narrowly on lid availability and notice, with no specified penalties or enforcement mechanisms beyond the requirement to provide lids upon request.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Safety benefits from reduced spills and contamination risks in bars/restaurants.
  • Operational considerations for establishments to stock lids of various sizes and train staff to offer lids upon request.
  • The need for clear signage placement to meet the conspicuous notice requirement.
  • Questions that may arise include how “upon request” is handled during busy service periods and what constitutes a suitable lid size for different drink containers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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