Bill would let 18–20‑year‑old hospitality students ‘sip and spit’ as part of coursework

Senate Bill 24 would allow students age 18 to 20 who are enrolled in approved beer or wine programs to taste alcoholic beverages as part of hospitality coursework, subject to training and supervised “sip and spit” procedures.

Grant Bossi introduced the bill on behalf of Senator Dan Ennis, saying, "Students in these programs aren't all yet 21, but the beer and wine class is only available to those who have turned 21 because tasting the beverages is a core part of the curriculum." The measure would require students to complete an alcohol training program provided by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission and to be supervised by an instructor at least 21 years old.

Supporters said the measure is narrow and focuses on higher‑education training for careers in hospitality. Aubrey Friedman, a Portsmouth resident and frequent traveler, told the committee he supports treating 18–20‑year‑olds as adults for narrowly defined educational tastings. Lobbyists for the liquor commission said they have no negative data from other states that allow similar tasting exceptions but said the commission would need to develop a training program and staffing to administer it.

Lawmakers questioned how the program would ensure students spit rather than swallow and whether the training should be developed by the commission or by schools. Liquor enforcement said it would create a tailored training offering for the purpose and that current training resources are provided by investigators, which would require internal capacity adjustments.

No vote was taken. Committee members asked the sponsor and the liquor commission to work on guardrails, training delivery, and whether the exemption should be limited to higher‑education programs only.