INDUSTRY NOTICE: New required signs

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) is directing license and permit holders who are required to post the following signs at their business premises to post updated versions released by TABC. These are the:

• TABC Complaint Sign: Required for license and permit holders that sell or serve to ultimate consumers.
• Human Trafficking Sign: Required for holders of a BG, BQ, MB, N/NB/NE, BE and BF license/permit without an FB Certificate.

While TABC encourages businesses to post the new signs in a timely manner, TABC auditors will not issue penalties for displaying the old signs while the agency provides businesses time to transition.

Sec. 5.53(d) of the Alcoholic Beverage Code requires any licensed or permitted business location in the state that sells or serves alcoholic beverages to the ultimate consumer to post the TABC Complaint Sign on their premises.

TABC has developed an updated sign that businesses may print and display.

1. Determine if you are a licensed or permitted business that sells or serves alcoholic beverages to the ultimate consumer.
2. Print the sign at the link above or print your own sign that meets the requirements of Alcoholic Beverage Code Sec. 5.53(d) and TABC Rule Sec. 31.4.
3. Display the sign at the place of business in a prominent place easily seen by the public (i.e., near the door or by the cash register).  

A law passed during the 87th Legislative Session (HB 3721 , 87R) requires certain businesses licensed or permitted by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to update the Human Trafficking Warning Sign posted at their locations so it includes contact information for reporting suspicious activity to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The following businesses are required to post an updated sign, unless they also hold a Food and Beverage Certificate (FB):

• Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Permit (BG)
• Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Off-Premise Permit (BQ)
• Mixed Beverage Permit (MB)
• Private Club Permits (N/NB/NE)
• Retail Dealer’s On-Premise License (BE)
• Retail Dealers Off-Premise License (BF)

Businesses that hold a Food and Beverage Certificate (FB) are not required to post human trafficking warning signs.

To help businesses comply with the law, TABC has developed an updated sign that businesses may print and display. TABC no longer provides pre-printed signs for businesses to display.

1. Determine if you are required to post the sign because you hold one of the licenses or permits listed above and do not also hold a Food and Beverage Certificate.
2. Print the sign at the link above or print your own sign that meets the requirements of Alcoholic Beverage Code Sec. 104.07.
3. Post the sign in a way that makes it clearly visible to the public and employees of the licensed or permitted business.