Nashville, TN — A new law aimed at enhancing safety for both locals and tourists in Nashville went into effect on January 1, 2025. The legislation, which requires service industry workers who serve alcohol to undergo more frequent and comprehensive training, has been welcomed by advocates for survivors of sexual assault.
Under the new law, bartenders, servers, and other alcohol-serving staff must renew their licenses every two years, a significant reduction from the previous five-year renewal period. Additionally, the law mandates that these workers complete a detailed training course designed to address critical issues related to alcohol, harassment, and safety in entertainment venues.
The required course, which spans at least three-and-a-half hours, covers several crucial topics. These include understanding the role of alcohol in sexual assault and harassment, recognizing the signs of human trafficking, preventing drugging incidents in establishments, and learning bystander intervention strategies. The law also emphasizes best practices for ensuring patron safety, aiming to equip workers with the skills necessary to protect vulnerable individuals in public spaces.
The legislation, which was crafted with the support of the Sexual Assault Center (SAC) in Nashville, marks a significant step toward safeguarding the city’s nightlife and entertainment industry. Tia Freeman, director of communications for the SAC, expressed optimism about the impact the new law will have on the community.
“This is a very good step in the right direction towards supporting not just local Nashvillians, but also the tourists that seem to come to Nashville,” Freeman said. “We really want them to have a good time and be safe and supported while they’re enjoying themselves here.”
The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC) will oversee the implementation of the law. Establishments that employ staff who complete the training must show proof of the curriculum within one year of applying for a server permit. The ABC has been working with training programs to ensure that supplemental materials are included and that the training is effectively deployed across the state.
Rob Mortensen, a representative from the Broadway Entertainment Association, praised the new law but suggested that annual training would be an even more effective solution for ensuring safety. “For us, it’s keeping people safe [and] having a good time because it’s a business,” Mortensen said. “At the end of the day, we want folks to want to come back to Nashville.”
The law reflects Tennessee’s growing commitment to addressing sexual assault and human trafficking, with service industry workers playing a key role in the effort to protect vulnerable individuals. By equipping workers with the tools to identify and respond to these issues, the state hopes to create a safer environment for everyone in Nashville’s vibrant hospitality scene.