The Rhode Island Senate and House each passed legislation Tuesday that would require bars and similar establishments to make drink lids available to patrons on request as a measure to protect against drink spiking.
The bills (2026-S 3000A and 2026-H 7975A), sponsored by Sen. Pamela J. Lauria and Rep. June S. Speakman, would require all establishments licensed to serve alcohol for on-premises consumption to provide removable lids upon request by any customer. The legislation does not require all drinks to come with lids, nor does it require an establishment to stock lids that fit all of its drinkware — only that it have lids available to fit at least one type of container.
Establishments could charge a reasonable fee reflecting the wholesale cost of the lid, but the measure also allows establishments to offer lids free of charge if they choose. A first violation would result in a warning. The Senate version of the bill adds a requirement that establishments post a notice reading, “Drink lids available here. Ask a staff member for details.”
Both bills would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
“A safer night out is as good for businesses as it is for patrons, and offering lids to those who would like them is a relatively simple way to protect public safety,” said Lauria, a Democrat representing District 32, which covers Barrington, Bristol and East Providence. “This bill will not only offer protection to those who ask for lids, it will help remind bar-goers of the risk of being ‘roofied’ and the importance of being vigilant and aware of their surroundings.”
The sponsors said they introduced the legislation not because of any particular prevalence of or increase in drink spiking in Rhode Island, but because of the devastating consequences when it occurs.
“Sexual assault and date rape shatter lives,” said Speakman, a Democrat representing District 68, which covers Warren and Bristol. “This bill is one more way to enable and encourage people to protect themselves from a very real risk when they go out.”
The bill is based on a similar measure enacted in California last year.
The House passed Speakman’s bill on Tuesday, and the Senate passed Lauria’s. Each bill now goes to the other chamber for consideration.
