Delaware’s Proposed Bartending Bill (HB 212): What NAHCT Members Need to Know — and the Bigger Issue Delaware Must Fix
NAHCT tracks legislative changes that impact hospitality compliance, alcohol service requirements, and responsible vendor training standards. Delaware currently has a bill moving through the legislature that includes several updates employers and compliance professionals should be aware of:
House Bill 212 (HB 212) — An Act to Amend Title 4 of the Delaware Code Relating to Bartending.
This bill is not law yet, but if it passes, it will have real compliance and workforce implications across Delaware’s hospitality industry.
HB 212 would allow bartending at age 18 (with supervision)
HB 212 proposes lowering the legal bartending age from 21 to 18. Under the bill, individuals who are 18, 19, or 20 years old would be permitted to bartend, as long as they are directly supervised by a person who is 21 years of age or older and who is working behind the bar with them.
From a workforce standpoint, this change could help Delaware remain competitive with nearby states and give hospitality businesses more flexibility in staffing.
NAHCT’s main concern: Delaware’s alcohol server training market is closed
While the age change is the headline, NAHCT’s primary concern is what this bill highlights on a much deeper level:
Delaware’s Alcoholic Beverage Server Training marketplace is closed, and hospitality employees in Delaware deserve an open market.
Delaware currently appears to list only two approved online Alcoholic Beverage Server Training providers:
- Delaware Restaurant Association – Delaware Alcoholic Beverage Server Training ($25)
- TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures, Inc.) ($15) — now owned by 360training
When training is required as a condition of employment, workers and employers should not be limited to only two vendor options. Delaware should have a transparent approval process that allows additional qualified providers to apply and compete, as long as they meet the state’s standards for training quality, exam integrity, and certificate validation.
This concern becomes even more important because HB 212 would increase the required training frequency from every 4 years to every 2 years. If Delaware makes that change, it effectively doubles the required training volume statewide, which also means it would double the business going to the same two approved providers—without giving Delaware employers and hospitality workers any additional choices or competitive alternatives.
In a regulated environment, Delaware should not be increasing training frequency while keeping the provider list closed. If Delaware wants stronger compliance outcomes and modern training standards, Delaware should also open the approval process so additional qualified providers can participate.
HB 212 includes other important compliance updates (not just the age change)
HB 212 does more than adjust the bartending age requirement. Based on the bill synopsis, it includes at least two additional updates that Delaware hospitality businesses should be aware of:
1) Server training may be required every 2 years instead of every 4
HB 212 proposes increasing the frequency of statutorily mandated alcohol beverage server training from every 4 years to every 2 years.
That is a major operational change. It means renewals would happen twice as often, which increases:
- Training costs for workers or employers
- Administrative tracking burden
- Employer compliance risk if renewals lapse
2) Under-21 restrictions for certain adult entertainment venues
HB 212 also proposes that anyone under the age of 21 would be prohibited from entering into or working in any capacity in certain establishments that offer sexually oriented adult entertainment.
This is a separate compliance issue that may affect certain license types and establishments operating in that space.
Want to comment or contact the bill sponsor?
If you are a Delaware hospitality employer, manager, employee, or compliance professional, you have the right to contact lawmakers and request changes that protect Delaware’s workforce and ensure fair access to training options.
HB 212 (2025) Primary Sponsor:
Hon. Kimberly Williams
Delaware House of Representatives (District 19)
Representative Williams’ official page:
https://housedems.delaware.gov/members/house-district-19/
Mailing Address:
Hon. Kimberly Williams
Delaware House of Representatives
Legislative Hall
Dover, DE 19901
NAHCT will continue tracking legislative updates
HB 212 is a strong example of why NAHCT exists: to keep training providers, compliance leaders, employers, and hospitality professionals informed as laws evolve.
Delaware businesses should pay attention not only to staffing eligibility changes, but also to training frequency requirements and how state approval policies may impact cost, access, and modernization over time.
NAHCT Contact
National Association of Hospitality Compliance Professionals (NAHCT)
Email: contact@NAHCT.org
Web: https://www.NAHCT.org
