The bill S. 849 seeks to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws to establish regulations for the delivery and curbside pickup of alcoholic beverages, specifically beer and wine. It empowers the Department of Revenue to issue licenses for retailers to provide these services, contingent upon meeting specific requirements such as having a designated curbside area, verifying customer age through valid identification, and ensuring that delivery employees are trained and of legal age. The legislation prohibits the delivery of open containers and restricts delivery locations to enhance public safety. Additionally, it outlines guidelines for retail dealers to engage delivery services, emphasizing the maintenance of a three-tier distribution system and the necessity for record-keeping and compliance monitoring.

The bill also amends existing laws regarding the sale and delivery of alcoholic liquors, mandating that deliveries occur within legal sales hours and requiring the use of electronic age verification technology. In cases where this technology fails, manual verification of identification is necessary. It specifies conditions under which deliveries must be refused, such as if the recipient is underage or intoxicated. Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for curbside delivery, requiring valid identification and designated areas for retailers, while also establishing licensing requirements for delivery services, including background checks and insurance. Violations of these regulations may incur monetary penalties, and the act is set to take effect ninety days after the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
01/28/2026: 61-2-170, 61-4-45, 61-4-280, 61-6-1570, 61-6-1580
Latest Version: 61-2-170, 61-4-45, 61-4-280, 61-6-1570, 61-6-1580