This bill, known as the "Elizabeth Croke Law," increases the penalty for on-premises licensees who overserve alcohol. It adds a new paragraph to RSA 179:5 that states if an on-premises licensee serves an individual who is visibly intoxicated or who a reasonable and prudent person would know is intoxicated, and that intoxicated person directly causes serious injury or death to another person, the licensee will be fined $7,500 and have their license suspended for up to 30 days. If the licensee closes due to the suspension, they must post a message on the doors and public website stating that they are closed due to a mandatory suspension for overserving alcohol.

The fiscal impact of this bill is indeterminable. The Liquor Commission cannot predict how many overserving incidents may occur or how much additional revenue may be generated from the increased fine. The current rules provide for lesser fines and suspensions for overserving offenses, and any fiscal impact is expected to occur after FY 2023.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 179:5