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S3761
SENATE, No. 3761
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
�
INTRODUCED MARCH 5, 2026
Sponsored by:
Senator� ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
���� Requires that warning notices regarding certain
health risks of alcohol consumption be reviewed and updated.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
���� As introduced.
��
An Act
concerning warning notices regarding the health risks of alcohol consumption
and amending P.L.1993, c.43.�
����
Be It Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New
Jersey:
���� 1.��� Section 1 of P.L.1993,
c.43 (C.33:1-12a) is amended to read as follows:
���� 1.���
a.
� A person who
holds a Class C license, except a plenary retail transit license, or a club
license shall ensure that a warning notice
[
prepared
]
developed
by the
Commissioner of the
Department of Health
[
and Senior
Services
]
,
in accordance with subsection b. of this section,
is posted prominently in
any service area as well as on a wall, towel dispenser
,
or other
appropriate location in any public rest room for
[
women
]
patrons on the licensed
premises.� The notice shall warn patrons
of the health risks of alcohol
consumption and
that alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been
determined to be harmful to the fetus and can cause birth defects, low birth
weight
,
and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which is one of the leading causes
of intellectual disabilities.
����
b.��� Within six months of
the effective date of P.L.��� , c.��� (pending before the Legislature as this
bill), the commissioner shall update the warning notice required under
subsection a. of this section to reflect the most current information available
regarding the health risks of alcohol consumption, which shall include but not
be limited to, the consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure and the link
between alcohol consumption and certain cancers.� The commissioner shall
develop the warning notice in consultation with appropriate medical and
scientific experts, professional organizations, and advocacy groups.
����
c.���� Not more than five
years after reviewing and developing the notice as required under subsection b.
of this section, the commissioner shall review the medical and scientific
literature on the health risks of alcohol exposure and update the warning
notice, if necessary, to reflect the most recent information to promote the
public health and welfare.� Thereafter, the commission shall review and revise,
if necessary, the notice as required under this section within five years of
the previous review.
(cf: P.L.2010, c.50, s.61)
���� 2.��� This act shall take
effect immediately.
STATEMENT
���� This bill requires the
Commissioner of the Department of Health to update the warning notice regarding
the adverse effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy within six months
of the effective date of this bill, and at least every five years thereafter,
to reflect the most recent information available concerning the health risks of
alcohol consumption, including the consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure
and the link between alcohol consumption and certain cancers.�
���� Under current law, all Class C
(retail sales) and club alcoholic beverage license holders, except for plenary
retail transit license holders, are to prominently post warnings prepared by
the Department of Health about the adverse effects of alcohol consumption
during pregnancy in service areas and certain restrooms on their premises.� The
warning notice is intended to warn patrons regarding the health risks
associated with the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.�
���� This bill requires the
commissioner to update the warning notice in consultation with appropriate
medical and scientific experts, appropriate professional organizations, and
advocacy groups.�
���� According to the sponsor, the
current warning notice regarding the health dangers of alcohol consumption has
not been updated in over a decade. In that time, scientific and medical
understanding has increased substantially.� The sponsor provides that it is in
the public's best interest to have up-to-date information on health and safety
issues.