Legislation in Harrisburg is trying to make it easier for your favorite adult drink to be delivered to your door. More than 30 states already have laws that allow it.<\/p>\n
While alcohol distributors feel this is modernizing the state, they are concerned that third-party apps could cripple their business. So, lawmakers must find a balance of business without possibly destroying what’s already here.<\/p>\n
House Bill 1451 is still in committee, so it will be a while before you can order your favorite beer, wine, or liquor to your door through third-party apps. Some alcohol distribution companies do that now, but delivery services like DoorDash want in on the act. \u00a0<\/p>\n
“We’ve heard from our consumers that one of the items that we would also like to facilitate delivery of is alcohol,” DoorDash’s Alex Mooney said.<\/p>\n
State leaders heard from police about the enforcement to prevent underage drinking. According to the bill, delivery companies would have to verify a customer’s age, and drivers would have to complete the state liquor control board training. It would also not allow drivers to leave the alcohol unattended on a doorstep or deliver it to visibly drunk people.<\/p>\n
“The industry has changed, so you have to adapt to it and make sure there are safeguards in place,” Rep. Dan Deasy (D-Pa. 27) said.<\/p>\n
There are concerns from beverage distribution companies that are already here. According to them, there are strict laws on what they can and cannot deliver. They hope that third-party vendors will follow the same rules they already follow.<\/p>\n
“It’s about making sure that it’s regulated in the right way and there’s parity in the bill,” Michelle Dangelo Arnoni said while representing the Malt Beverage Retail Association of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers hope to see more progress made on this legislation, as it has been sitting in Harrisburg for a couple of years.<\/p>\n