Rhode Island Senate And House Pass Bills To Protect Women From Drugging In Bars

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Senate and House each passed bills to protect women from drugging in bars.

The proposed legislation would require bars and similar establishments to have lids available to protect patrons from having their drinks spiked.

The bills were sponsored by state Sen. Pamela J. Lauria, D- Barrington, Bristol and East Providence, and state Rep. June S. Speakman, D-Warren and Bristol.

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“A safer night out is as good for businesses as it is for patrons, and offering lids to those who would like them is a relatively simple way to protect public safety," Lauria said in a media release.

"This bill will not only offer protection to those who ask for lids, it will help remind bar-goers of the risk of being ‘roofied’ and the importance of being vigilant and aware of their surroundings,” Lauria said.

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The legislation would require all establishments licensed to serve alcohol for on-premises consumption to make removable lids available upon request by any customer, according to the release.

"The bill does not require all drinks to come with lids, nor does it require the bar have lids that fit all its drinkware, only that it have lids available to fit at least one type of its containers," the release said. "A reasonable fee that reflects the wholesale cost of the lid could be charged, although the measure would also allow establishments to offer lids without a charge if they wish."

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The bill is modeled after a measure enacted in California last year, according to the release.

Lauria and Speakman said they "introduced the bill not because of any particular prevalence of or increase in drink-spiking in Rhode Island, but because of the devastating consequences that occur when it does happen," per the release.

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“Sexual assault and date rape shatter lives. This bill is one more way to enable and encourage people to protect themselves from a very real risk when they go out,” Speakman said in the release.

Each bill now goes to the other chamber for consideration.

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