Alcoholic beverage control: large outdoor events: drink spiking.

Assembly Member Lowenthal's drink spiking prevention measure would require vendors serving alcohol at large outdoor events to provide safety equipment and follow specific reporting protocols starting July 2026. The legislation applies to events with more than 10,000 daily attendees where alcohol is served through catering authorizations or temporary licenses.

Under the bill's provisions, vendors must offer drug testing devices like test strips and stickers at reasonable prices based on wholesale costs, though they may provide them for free. They must also make drink container lids available upon request, fitting at least one type of beverage container. The legislation shields vendors from liability for inaccurate test results while requiring them to ensure testing devices remain within their expiration dates.

The measure establishes mandatory reporting requirements when customers report suspected drink spiking incidents. Vendors must contact law enforcement or emergency services when receiving positive test results, observing drink tampering, or noting symptoms associated with drink spiking. Staff must then monitor affected customers until first responders arrive. The bill requires posting notices about available safety equipment at all alcohol service points. These requirements would remain in effect through January 2029, with violations treated as non-criminal matters rather than misdemeanors under existing alcohol control laws.