Nationally Recognized Alcohol Server Training Is Available in Indiana

New Mandatory Carding Law Is Part of Updated Training

INDIANAPOLIS, March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers has launched a nationally accredited program to train retailers on the best practices to sell alcohol with additional updates on new state laws including a mandatory carding requirement.

Up to 140,000 owners, managers and servers need to be trained in Indiana, according to the association. Public courses are now being made available around the state as well as private on-site courses for owners of businesses that offer off-premise sales, including restaurants and hotels.

Unlike "voluntary" programs practiced by other retailers, the ServSafe® Alcohol program provides a three-hour course and test with certification that is valid for three years. The national program being offered in Indiana is approved for use by many state and local regulatory agencies where retailers are required to meet training requirements.

In Indiana, server training is required for employees and managers of liquor stores, bars and restaurants - but not for employees of groceries, gas stations, convenience stores and drug stores.

"It makes sense for our association to embrace, adopt and offer a program of this caliber since the laws require us to be more responsible in our communities than most other retail outlets selling alcohol," said John Livengood, president and CEO of the association. "We want to be the first to adopt nationally recognized training standards and remain proactive."

Adding newly updated alcohol laws to the training program is also critical to the courses, Livengood said. A major policy shift in the state occurs July 1, when any retailer selling alcohol that can be carried out of an establishment will be required to card all potential buyers and verify ID.

Currently, there is no such requirement and any retailer can set its own policies and practices to determine if a buyer is 21 years old -- the legal age to purchase alcohol in Indiana.

Livengood said there's also an incentive for servers to get up-to-date training: The new mandatory carding law passed by the Indiana General Assembly creates an additional criminal penalty. A server who fails to check for an ID and ask for valid proof after July 1 can be criminally charged with a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

He said some insurance companies will also provide a discount for retailers who train their employees.

Under the new law, customers and patrons will be required to produce 1) a driver's license; 2) an identification card recognized by this state, other states or the federal government; or 3) a government-issued document with a photo and date of birth.

Livengood said the 500-member package store association has long supported a mandatory carding law and mandatory server training while other retailers have successfully pushed for exemptions to mandatory training in state law.

But unlike many other retailers, such as groceries, drug stores, gas stations and convenience stores that sell alcohol, the association's package store members are under strict regulatory standards imposed by the state and are the first to come under the scrutiny of law enforcement officials.

"Our members are making a commitment to start mandatory carding earlier than state law demands," Livengood said.

The ServSafe® Alcohol program covers the following program areas:

• Alcohol Law and Responsibility
• Recognizing and Preventing Intoxication
• Checking Identification
• Handling Difficult Situations

For more information online, visit: http://www.indianabeverageretailers.org/

About the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers (IABR)

The Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers is a statewide membership group for package store owners licensed and regulated by the state of Indiana. Founded in 1936, the association's mission is to protect, promote and improve the package store industry in Indiana. The association represents Hoosier businesses with 8,000 employees.

SOURCE Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers