Type 48 Bars and AB 1013: A July 1, 2024 Readiness Checklist

Updated November 8, 2026. This article was written in mid-June 2024, about two weeks before the July 1, 2024 effective date for new Type 48 signage and drug testing device requirements. Later changes are described separately at the end. It is general information, not legal advice.

Two weeks to go

On July 1, 2024, a new law takes effect for California bars and nightclubs holding a Type 48 on-sale general public premises license. Assembly Bill 1013, signed in 2023, requires these licensees to offer drug testing devices to patrons and to post a sign about their availability. We explained the background and purpose of the law in our earlier overview of the drink testing kits law. This article is different: it is a practical readiness checklist for owners and managers who want to be ready on day one.

What ABC has said

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) published an industry advisory on January 22, 2024 describing the requirements of AB 1013 (Lowenthal, Chapter 353, Statutes of 2023). The key points are:

• Type 48 license holders and applicants, including those operating under an interim operating permit, must make drug testing devices available to customers. ABC lists examples such as test strips, stickers, straws, or other devices designed to detect controlled substances in a drink.
• The devices must test for controlled substances commonly used to spike drinks. ABC names flunitrazepam, ketamine, and GHB as examples. An individual kit does not need to test for all three; ABC says offering tests that detect at least one such substance would be considered compliant.
• Devices must not have exceeded their expiration date or recommended period of use.
• Devices may be sold at a price not exceeding a reasonable amount based on wholesale cost, or given away free.
• Licensees must post this notice verbatim in a prominent and conspicuous location: “Don’t get roofied! Drink spiking drug test kits available here. Ask a staff member for details.” ABC offers a printable version of the sign, and says the sign must be clearly visible and readable to patrons.
• Violations are not criminal offenses but may result in administrative citation against the license.
• The license holder is not liable for defective tests or inaccurate results, such as false positives or false negatives.
• ABC cannot recommend specific manufacturers, though it notes devices can be bought in bulk for less than $1.00 each, and the most common strips test for GHB and ketamine.

As written in 2023, the requirements were scheduled to repeal on January 1, 2027, unless extended by the Legislature.

The readiness checklist

1. Confirm your license type

The requirement applies to Type 48 licensees. Check your license certificate or ABC’s license lookup. If you hold a different license, such as a Type 47 for a restaurant, this specific requirement does not apply, though you may still choose to offer testing devices.

2. Choose a product

ABC does not endorse any particular kit, so the choice is yours. When comparing products, consider:

• What substances the device is designed to detect. The law refers to devices that detect controlled substances commonly used to spike drinks.
• Expiration dates and storage instructions.
• Ease of use in low light and noisy rooms.
• Packaging that includes clear instructions.
• Wholesale cost, because any price you charge patrons must not exceed a reasonable amount based on it.

3. Order enough stock

Estimate demand based on weekend attendance, then add a buffer. Suppliers may be busy as Type 48 bars across the state order at the same time. Order early so stock arrives before July 1.

4. Plan storage

Because ABC says licensees must make sure devices have not passed their expiration date or recommended period of use, storage and rotation matter. Keep devices in a cool, dry place away from heat sources, such as dishwashers or espresso machines. Rotate stock so the oldest devices are used first, and remove expired devices.

5. Post the sign

Download ABC’s printable sign, which carries the required wording, and post it in a prominent location. Many bars choose the entrance, the bar top, or near restrooms. Make sure the sign is readable in the room’s lighting.

6. Decide on price

Decide whether to offer devices free or for a charge. If you charge, document the wholesale cost so you can show the price is reasonable. Given ABC’s note that bulk devices can cost under a dollar, many venues may find free distribution simpler.

7. Set up distribution

Decide who hands out devices and where. Options include the bar, the host stand, security, or a self-serve station. Make sure staff know where to find them during a rush.

8. Train staff

Staff should know:

• Where devices are kept and how patrons can get them.
• Basic instructions for using them, or where to find instructions.
• What to do if a patron reports a positive result or believes their drink was spiked.
• How to respond respectfully and without judgment.

9. Write a response protocol

A positive test or a suspected spiking requires a calm, consistent response. A protocol might include:

1. Take the report seriously and stay with the patron.
2. Remove the drink from service and set it aside.
3. Alert the manager and security.
4. Watch for signs of a medical emergency and call 911 if needed.
5. Help the patron contact a trusted friend, and do not let them leave alone with someone they do not know.
6. Offer to contact police and preserve video footage.
7. Document the incident.

Our article on spotting and stopping drink spiking covers warning signs and service practices in more detail.

10. Keep records

Keep invoices showing what devices you bought, when, and their expiration dates. Keep a photo of the posted sign. Records help if an ABC agent asks how you comply.

Testing devices are one layer

Testing devices help patrons check drinks, but they do not replace attentive service. Spiking prevention also relies on:

• Bartenders watching drinks they prepare and serve.
• Staff noticing patrons who appear far more impaired than their drinking would explain.
• Security watching for people who seem to target others.
• Responding when a patron’s friends say something is wrong.

Overservice also remains a concern. Selling to an obviously intoxicated person is prohibited under section 25602. A patron who appears suddenly very impaired should be evaluated for possible drugging and medical needs, not simply cut off.

Communicating with patrons

Patrons may have questions on the first nights. A short staff script helps:

• “Yes, we have drink testing devices. You can get one at the bar.”
• “Here are the instructions. If you see a positive result, let us know right away and we will help.”
• “If you or your friend feel unwell, tell any staff member.”

Some bars share the change on social media or at the door. That can reassure guests that the venue takes safety seriously.

A scenario on the first weekend

A nightclub manager orders devices in mid-June, stores them in a locked cabinet behind the bar, and posts ABC’s printable sign at the entrance and near restrooms. At a preshift meeting, she walks staff through the response protocol. On Saturday, July 6, a guest asks for a device. The bartender hands one over with instructions. The test is negative, and the guest thanks the staff. Later that night, a different guest’s friend reports that she seems confused after one drink. Staff follow the protocol, remove the drink, alert the manager, and call for medical help. The manager documents the incident and saves the video.

Opening night roles

The first weekend under a new rule is when gaps show up. Assign clear roles for the first few shifts after July 1: one person checks that the sign is posted and readable, one confirms device stock and expiration dates at opening, and the manager on duty reviews any patron requests or incidents at close. Ask staff to note questions patrons ask, so the team can refine its script over the following weeks.

Questions to ask suppliers

Because ABC cannot recommend specific products, owners need to evaluate suppliers themselves. Useful questions include: Which substances does the device detect? What is the shelf life, and what storage conditions are recommended? Are instructions printed on each individual device or only on the box? Can the supplier deliver before July 1, and how quickly can it restock? Keep the answers with your purchase records. If you change products later, update your staff training so everyone knows how the new devices work.

Frequently asked questions

Do we have to give devices away for free?

No. ABC says they may be free or sold at a cost not exceeding a reasonable amount based on wholesale cost.

Are we liable if a test is wrong?

ABC says license holders are not liable for defective tests or inaccurate results, such as false positives or false negatives. Licensees are still responsible for offering devices that have not expired.

Is failure to comply a crime?

ABC says violations are not criminal offenses but may result in administrative citation against the license.

Finally, remember that compliance is ongoing. Assign someone to check device stock and expiration dates weekly, confirm the sign is still posted and readable after renovations or redecorating, and include the topic in onboarding for every new hire. A requirement that is easy to meet on July 1 can quietly slip by September without a routine.

Current context as of November 8, 2026

As of this update, the July 2024 requirements are no longer temporary. In an October 9, 2026 advisory, ABC said Assembly Bill 1982 (Lowenthal, Chapter 377, Statutes of 2026) repealed the sunset dates, making the requirements permanent. ABC says Type 48 licensees must comply with Business and Professions Code section 25624, which covers drug testing devices, and section 25625, which requires a drink lid to be made available with a customer’s drink on request, free or at a reasonable price based on wholesale cost. The posted notice now refers to both lids and test kits, and ABC offers two approved sign versions. ABC also clarifies that a napkin does not count as a lid. Separately, Assembly Bill 2402 adds drink spiking content to RBS training beginning in 2027; see our AB 2402 article. Licensees should rely on ABC’s current guidance.

The bottom line

The July 1 deadline is close, but readiness is straightforward: confirm your license type, buy and store devices properly, post the sign, set a reasonable price, train staff, and write a response protocol. Testing devices give patrons a tool, and trained staff give them support.

Sources

1. ABC: Type 48 Signage and Product Requirements (Jan. 22, 2024)
2. ABC: Type 48 Requirements Extended Indefinitely (Oct. 9, 2026, current note)
3. California BPC 25602
4. ABC: RBS Frequently Asked Questions

This article is general information, not legal advice.