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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Starting on Jan. 1, 2025, all Tennessee servers and bartenders will be required to complete alcohol awareness training as part of their licensing process.
The goal of the new law is to help protect patrons from sexual assault, trafficking and harassment by equipping bar staff with the knowledge and confidence to intervene when necessary, according to Aaron Rummage a director at the Tennessee Alcohol Beverage Commission.
“This was really addressing a couple of cases where some individuals were drugged and then taken advantage of. I think there was even a rape involved,” he said.
The law will also require more frequent training, with serving licenses expiring every 2 years instead of every 5 years. The increased frequency of training is designed to keep staff up-to-date on safety protocols and provide them with more tools to handle potential threats.
“It’s really placing more tools in the server’s toolbox,” said Rummage. “In order to have a little more courage to maybe step forward if they see something that’s wrong.”
Some East Tennessee businesses are already taking steps to ensure safety. Brian Dickert, the assistant general manager of Yeehaw Brewery, said it is part of the “Safe Bar” initiative and offers similar training to help staff recognize and respond to safety concerns.
“We just make sure that none of our patrons feel uncomfortable in any way,” he said.
For patrons who feel unsafe, the brewery provides a “safe word” posted in bathrooms that can be used to discreetly alert staff.
“If they feel uncomfortable in any way, they can come to either security or one of our bartenders and say that they need some assistance,” said Dickert.
This law is just one of many going into effect in the new year.
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