Public forum, March 17

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March 17, 2010

Anonymous Pharos-Tribune Wed Mar 17, 2010, 08:58 AM EDT

Soon everyone will be carded

As of July 1, Indiana law will require any licensed server selling alcohol to card anyone purchasing alcohol for off-premise consumption — no excuses.

The law, which was recently signed by Gov. Mitch Daniels, will require customers to provide a valid ID with a photo and date of birth. Anyone failing to check for valid ID in a sales transaction can be cited with a criminal penalty misdemeanor.

For decades, voluntary retail practices often set the bar lower — such as carding anyone who “appeared” to be under 30. But a gut instinct isn’t the same as requiring proof of a valid ID and checking to see if that ID is legitimate.

Some Indiana legislators had resisted making this a mandatory requirement. They felt that a mandatory ID check would add too much time to a retail transaction and cause delays in service. Others worried it would offend seniors or veterans who obviously meet age limits and do not want their IDs examined.

But legislators were convinced this year and now Indiana is one only of a few states requiring the mandatory checks.

The Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers has supported mandatory carding legislation for years and it’s now a reality for our members — and all retailers. No more excuses and no more delays.

The law should also leave little room for error when underage youth attempt to make an illegal purchase. And while a class B misdemeanor in the new carding law may seem like a small penalty in the alcohol sales environment, it’s a start to making all retailers more responsible.

Our association is also being proactive and launching ServSafe Alcohol training — part of a national program and approved for use by many state and city regulatory agencies. And we’re not waiting until July 1 to get started with training. Members are arranging their classes now around the state. And many of our members are bumping up their dates to begin the practice of mandatory carding and informing their customers.

Consumers will need to be ready with IDs in hand. Everyone who makes an alcohol purchase will be checked beginning July 1. And every clerk and server should be trained, tested and certified, to make those checks a reality.

John Livengood

president and CEO

Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers

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Indiana was among 10 states granted a waiver last week from requirements of the No Child Left Behind law. Do you believe that was a good move?

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