(a) Beginning July 1, 2022, a licensee that is subject to this article shall not employ or continue to employ any alcohol server without a valid alcohol server certification.

(1) An alcohol server who was employed by the licensee prior to July 1, 2022, shall obtain an alcohol server certification by August 31, 2022.

(2) An alcohol server who is employed by the licensee on or after July 1, 2022, shall obtain an alcohol server certification within 60 calendar days of employment.

(b) (1) A licensee that is subject to this article shall ensure that each alcohol server it employs has a valid alcohol server certification. The licensee shall maintain records of certifications for inspection, upon request, by the department.

(2) Except for a violation of subdivision (c), it shall be a defense against any action for a violation of this article that the alcohol server was within 60 calendar days of initial employment or, with regard to employees employed prior to July 1, 2022, between July 1, 2022, and August 31, 2022, inclusive.

(c) A nonprofit organization that has obtained a temporary daily on-sale license or a temporary daily off-sale license from the department shall designate a person or persons to receive RBS training prior to the event, and that designated person or persons shall remain onsite for the duration of the event.

(Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 14, Sec. 1. (AB 82) Effective June 29, 2020.)