A new California law is going into effect in 2024 to take action against the disturbing trend of drink-spiking in bars and nightclubs.
The state is enacting AB 1013, which requires nightlife venues to offer onsite drug testing kits so patrons can see if their drink has been spiked.
The bill, which passed unanimously on the Senate Floor, calls for bars and clubs to have “test strips, stickers, straws, and other devices designed to detect the presence of controlled substances in a drink.” Those tests detect common date-rape drugs like ketamine, GHB and flunitrazepam, the lattermost of which is also known as Rohypnol or “roofies.”
“This new law is incredibly important for women. Having access to these tests is a game-changer,” Marisa Bautista, VIP Host at Skybar at LA’s Mondrian Hotel, told EDM.com in a statement. “On a daily basis, women deal with sexual harassment and many don’t realize that these situations can easily turn into sexual assault. We are constantly having to question if it’s safe to walk alone, the time of day, will there be people around, how much skin am I showing, and should I be carrying something to defend myself just in case. Think about the amount of stress that comes from constantly having to worry about your own safety. This law offering roofie tests to patrons takes power away from potential sexual predators and gives that power back to its owner.”
California venues have until July 1st to start implementing procedures and they may charge customers “at a cost not to exceed a reasonable amount based on the wholesale cost” of the kits or offer them for free, according to the bill. It also requires operators to post the following notice in a prominent location: “Don’t get roofied! Drink spiking drug test kits available here. Ask a staff member for details.”
AB 1013 was first proposed by California State Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal of Long Beach, who says members of his administration have been drugged.
“We have a crisis that’s taking place that’s resulting in sexual assault, that’s targeting primarily women and members of the LGBTQ communities,” Lowenthal said. “I have members of my staff that have been roofied. There are members of the legislative body that have been roofied.”
Date rape affects 35% of women between the ages of 18 and 24 in the United States, according to data from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.
