Substitute Senate Bill No. 408 proposes significant amendments to existing laws concerning liquor permits, fire safety inspections, and the regulation of juice bars in Connecticut. Key changes include the repeal of certain provisions in section 30-39, which previously required liquor permit applicants to provide detailed descriptions of live entertainment unless they held a permit prior to October 1, 1993, and had not changed their entertainment type. The bill also designates the State Fire Marshal to oversee fire safety compliance at Bradley International Airport and modifies the permit renewal process, allowing applicants to certify that required inspections have occurred or will occur within the calendar year. Additionally, it revises section 29-305 to change the inspection frequency for local fire marshals from annually to every two years, while permitting delegation of inspections to qualified third parties.

The bill further introduces new regulations for juice bars operating under café permits, including a patron limit of 10% of the total building occupant load and restrictions on operating hours, prohibiting operations after 10 p.m. It mandates that café permit holders notify local law enforcement of scheduled juice bar events and requires that only individuals aged 21 and older, marked with wristbands, may be served alcohol. Violations of these provisions can result in substantial fines, and municipalities are empowered to enact ordinances that may further restrict juice bar operations. Additionally, the bill imposes new reporting requirements for residential property owners in larger municipalities, mandating the submission of identifying information and emergency contact numbers, with penalties for non-compliance ranging from $250 to $1,000. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 29-305, 30-22c
PS Joint Favorable Substitute: 29-305, 30-22c
File No. 306: 29-305, 30-22c