First reading: bill would allow one 1.7‑ounce liquor pour at salons and barbershops

Delegate Dana Baylor introduced HB1286 at first reading on Feb. 13, asking the Anne Arundel County House Delegation to expand existing barbershop and beauty-salon beer-and-wine permits to permit one 1.7‑ounce liquor pour per customer during a qualifying service.

Baylor described the bill as modeled on Montgomery County’s recent change and said it would not change existing hour limits: licensees could offer the pour during normal business hours and no later than 9 p.m. "This bill... would expand that to also include a 1.7 ounce pour of liquor," Baylor said.

Delegates raised questions about minors present in salons and whether the new authorization would alter responsibilities for training and enforcement. Liquor board staff responded that salon licensees would be required to follow the same laws and regulations as restaurants and other licensees, including alcohol-awareness training, carding requirements, routine inspections and disciplinary processes. "We would absolutely be subject to the same disciplinary rules as every other licensee," a liquor board representative said.

Delegates also asked whether the change would allow sale versus complimentary pours; both the sponsor and the liquor board clarified the authorization is tied to being present for a qualifying service and would not be a general retail sale of alcohol.

Because HB1286 was a first reading, delegates did not take a final vote during the session. The bill will return for a vote at a later delegation meeting unless further amendments are filed.

Next steps: HB1286 proceeds through the delegation’s schedule; the liquor board and sponsor expect standard licensing training and enforcement to apply if the bill advances.