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Senator Walsh urges lowering bartending age to 18 under direct supervision in HB195
Summary
House Bill 195 would allow 18‑ to 20‑year‑olds to work behind the bar under direct supervision of someone 21 or older, increase server‑training frequency, and bar minors from adult‑entertainment venues; industry groups and local tavern owners testified in support.
Senator Walsh told the Senate Banking committee that House Bill 195 is intended to expand workforce flexibility in Delaware’s hospitality sector by allowing 18‑ to 20‑year‑olds to bartend under direct supervision by a worker aged 21 or older. The sponsor said the bill increases mandatory alcohol‑server training from every four years to every two years and excludes minors from bars advertised as adult‑entertainment venues.
"So they can't be behind the bar without somebody that is 21," Senator Siegfried asked about the supervision standard; the sponsor clarified that the 21‑year‑old must be present and working behind the bar "all the time." The sponsor also described an amendment to prevent 18‑year‑olds still enrolled in secondary education from bartending.
Industry witnesses supported the bill. Eric Williams, owner of Mulrooney’s and James Street Tavern, said the proposal "is a huge help for us in the industry" and that it would allow employers to train workers after high‑school graduation and provide back‑of‑house and bar‑back experience that leads to bartending opportunities. Carrie Leichman of the Delaware Restaurant Association said the association supports the bill and the sponsor’s amendment to keep currently enrolled high‑school students out of bartending roles.
Committee members asked procedural questions about supervision and implementation; no committee vote was taken at the hearing.
Next steps: the sponsor said an amendment is forthcoming; the committee did not take a final vote.
