S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6400
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
March 7, 2019
___________
Introduced by M. of A. TITUS -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Consumer Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to posting of alcohol
consumption warning signs
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The legislature finds that several reports have indicated
that fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), caused by the consumption of alcohol-
ic beverages while pregnant, is the leading cause of birth defects and
mental retardation in the United States. As many as twelve thousand
infants are born each year with FAS and three times as many have alco-
hol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND). For the past thirty
years, the rate of pregnant women drinking heavy alcohol amounts has
risen over fifty percent. Nationwide, of the four million women who get
pregnant each year, over three quarters of a million drink alcohol
during pregnancy. FAS, ARND, along with learning disabilities, attention
deficit disorder, hyperactivity, aggressiveness, and violent tendencies
are the most common malfunctions among alcohol-related births. They are
lifelong disorders that result in brain damage, facial abnormalities,
growth deficiencies and central nervous system dysfunction in unborn
children. This illness also causes heart defects, epilepsy, liver or
kidney disease, abuse and neglect. Women who drink alcohol while preg-
nant are at high risk of having miscarriages and developing their own
heart problems, which could pass along to their offspring.
§ 2. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2503-a
to read as follows:
§ 2503-A. ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION; WARNING SIGNS. 1. THE COMMISSIONER
SHALL PREPARE, HAVE PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTE ACROSS THE STATE TO ALL
PERSONS WITH A LICENSE TO SELL ANY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE FOR CONSUMPTION ON
THE PREMISES, A SIGN OR POSTER WITH CONSPICUOUS LETTERING THAT PROVIDES
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05878-01-9
A. 6400 2
INFORMATION ON THE DANGERS OF THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
WHILE PREGNANT.
2. ALL PERSONS WITH A LICENSE TO SELL ANY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE FOR
CONSUMPTION ON THE PREMISES SHALL DISPLAY IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE THE
SIGN OR POSTER UPON RECEIVING IT FROM THE COMMISSIONER.
3. ANY PERSON WITH SUCH A LICENSE WHO VIOLATES THE PROVISIONS OF
SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT TO EXCEED
ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law.