The following is a quote from Chuck Moran, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association (PaTaverns), regarding today’s Pennsylvania Senate vote on HB 467. HB 467 addresses an issue within the hospitality industry related to off-premise catering permits and funeral luncheons and dinners. This bill is part of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association’s 2025-26 legislative agenda to address outdated liquor codes that handcuff small business bars, taverns, and licensed restaurants.

Today, the Pennsylvania Senate passed an amended HB 467 by a vote of 47-0. The bill would allow the state’s taverns, bars, and licensed restaurants to provide full off-premise catering services as part of funeral lunches and dinners when such events are held shortly after a person’s death.

An initiative of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association (PLBTA), the bill earlier this year passed the State House, 200-3, before being amended recently in the Senate to include other issues related to dead liquor licenses and public venues.

The bill now heads back to the State House for concurrence before it can be sent to the Governor’s Desk. This could happen as early as next week.

Current liquor code often prevents establishments from providing full off-premise catering services for funeral dinners since licensees are required to provide the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) 14 days notices when using an off-premise catering permit (OPCP). HB 467 changes that to require licensees to notify the PLCB, liquor control enforcement, and local police 24 hours in advance when an OPCP is being used as part of an end-of-life celebration.

The PLBTA became aware of the issue late last year through Board Member Michelle Ritter, owner of the Willow Street Pub in Coplay. The Association immediately adopted the issue as one of its legislative agenda items for the current two-year session, and began work at the state capital to fix the catering glitch.

This glitch in the liquor code not only hampers licensees from providing their full catering services but also was often disappointing to families trying to make arrangements for a funeral dinner. We’re happy that our Association could address this outdated liquor code with some common sense through legislative channels, helping both small business taverns, bars, and licensed restaurants as well as Pennsylvania families wishing to remember the life of a loved one.

Rep. Dan Deasy, chair of the House Liquor Control Committee, championed the issue in the House and sponsored HB 467. Meanwhile, Sen. Dan Laughlin, chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee, took the lead on the issue in the Senate. HB 467 was the first bill to pass their respective committees the year.

The PLBTA thanks both Rep. Deasy and Sen. Laughlin as well as both House and Senate leadership for moving this issue forward and getting into position to land on the governor’s desk before the end of the year.

The PLBTA encourages the State House to quickly agree with the Senate amendments next week when it returns to Harrisburg in order to send the bill to Gov. Shapiro to sign. Once signed, the bill takes effect 60 days later.

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The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association is the statewide political voice for small business taverns and licensed restaurants. Based in Harrisburg, the Association formed in 1941, reorganized in 2019, and today advocates for best practices and rights within the industry as well as best experiences for patrons. To learn more, visit https://pataverns.com/ or follow the Association on Twitter via @TavernPA.

The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association has partnered with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Committee, Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, and the State House  Liquor Control Committee on a public educational campaign to raise awareness of drink spiking.

The campaign was introduced during a news conference at the capital and includes educational awareness projects such as posters and social media tools.

Invited to speak at the news conference was Tom Tyler, president of the PLBTA and owner of McStew’s Irish Sports Pub in Levittown. Joining Tom on stage was Jim DeLisio, vice president of the PLBTA and owner of the Racehorse Tavern in Thomasville as well as Michelle Ritter, PLBTA Secretary and owner of Willow Street Pub in Coplay. Others speaking included Darrell Clarke, chair of the PLCB; Major Robert Bailey, LCE; and Rep. Dan Deasy, chair of the House Liquor Control Committee.

Here’s what Tom had to say on behalf of PaTaverns …

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association and our Members, I want to thank Chairman Deasy of the House Liquor Control Committee and Chairman Clarke of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for initiating this educational campaign. We are proud to partner with them.

As a bar owner, when a patron walks into my establishment, my priority is to provide a safe and enjoyable place for them to spend their time. At McStew’s Irish Sports Pub, that means having a fully RAMP-trained staff and following best practices to ensure safety.

But bartenders and servers can only do so much. I’ve often seen patrons step away from their drinks or not pay close attention to them, which unfortunately makes them vulnerable to drink spiking. That’s why this campaign matters—not only for our industry, but for the public at large. It’s about education, awareness, and prevention.

We think this is important not just for us as business owners, but also in the broader sense of what it teaches the community. It helps everyone understand how to look out for themselves and each other, whether at a bar or house party. And above all, we want people to return home safely.

The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association fully supports this campaign, and will do everything we can through our Members to educate the public.

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The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association is the statewide political voice for small business taverns and licensed restaurants. Based in Harrisburg, the Association formed after Prohibition in 1941, reorganized in 2019, and today advocates for best practices and rights within the industry as well as best experiences for patrons. To learn more, visit www.pataverns.com or follow the Association on X via @TavernPA.

By Amanda Fagan, MSML, CIC, CISR
Loss Control West Team Leader
Illinois Casualty Company

With the increase in weather-related incidents, flying umbrellas may no longer be something you only see when watching Mary Poppins. When it comes to outdoor patio spaces and umbrellas, depending on usage and type of weather, a flying umbrella could become costly to not only a person, but also a business owner.

Throughout the years, Illinois Casualty Company (ICC) has seen insurance claims ranging from a couple thousand dollars to a couple hundred thousand due to personal injury and property damage from outdoor property. Outdoor spaces can be a wonderful addition to an insured’s establishment; however, the fun comes with a bit of risk.

Here are a few things to consider when utilizing outdoor spaces at your business this summer:

Is all the furniture in good condition?
Sit and relax in each piece before your customer gives it a try and falls through a cracked seat or topples over, due to a wobbly chair leg.

Is your area around the building and outdoor spaces free of clutter, old leaves, and debris?
Areas with buildup of leaves or cluttered space that is being used as makeshift storage could become a fire hazard, among other issues.

Are all public areas free of pest nests?
You wouldn’t want a patron to be stung by a bee and give you a “stinging” review on social media.

Are all umbrellas, tents, outdoor temporary awnings, and structures secured?
Flying objects can be dangerous (not only to patrons) and can cause unwanted property damage to your premise or a neighbor’s. If the outdoor property, such as a temporary tent, is non-owned, make sure to review your contract with the vendor and know your responsibility from set up to take-down, weather regulations, and all the in-between.

Are all level changes, umbrella bases, ramps, and game areas clearly marked with bright visible lines?
Slips, trips, and falls can put a damper on outdoor activities. Warning signs at eye level, roped off areas, and bright slip resistant tape are good additions to your outdoor space, as well as usable handrails on stairs and ramps.

Are all firepits and outdoor cooking apparatuses secured?
An employee should monitor and control these items without assistance from patrons. Structure should be of appropriate construction (not a repurposed burn barrel) and be located a safe distance away from any flammable structure. A metal can for ash disposal should be kept nearby, as well as a fire extinguisher. Wood storage should be kept away from all frame and/or flammable structures.

As the summer months come flying in, take a day and spruce up your outdoor space to minimize risk and maximize fun!

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Illinois Casualty Company’s Loss Control staff are experienced in minimizing risk and implementing outdoor safety. Illinois Casualty Company is the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Assocaition’s exclusive preferred vendor for liquor liability insurance. To learn more or to find an agent near you, click here.

The following Summer maintenance tips are suggested by Illinois Casualty Company to help Pennsylvania bars, taverns, and licensed restaurants. Take advantage of the warm summer months to get your business ahead on maintenance for the year.

Check Security Cameras
Make sure they’re reliable and placed properly, both indoors and outdoors.

Inspect Outside Your Building
Look for slip, trip, and fall hazards outside but also check for any upcoming maintenance items. Any repairs should be made before cold weather and winter storms.

Clear Cigarette Butts
Remove cigarette butts from any smoking areas to alleviate a fire hazard. This also keeps your premises looking neater.

Replace Smoke and CO Detector Batteries
Do this twice a year to be confident everything is working in case of a fire or emergency. Install new detectors if needed.

Check Patio and Deck Areas
With more customers outside, it’s crucial that patios and decks are safe. Replace any splintered or uneven boards, look for loose concrete pavers, and make sure handrails are sturdy.

Check All Outlets
Do an electrical check of all outlets, indoors or outdoors. Eliminate the use of multi-unit gang plugs and extension cords to prevent fire hazards.

Do a Perimeter Walk
Walk the entire perimeter and grounds of your business, including through the parking lot, to check for any lingering hazards or maintenance issues.

Secure Canopies and Tents
Double check canopies, tents, or awnings to make sure they’re tethered in place. If they aren’t, they could cause injuries or property damage.

Inspect Doorway Thresholds
Loose screws or rotten boards cause safety hazards. Make sure everything is sturdy and in place, especially on the stairs.

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Illinois Casualty Company is the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association’s exclusive preferred vendor for liquor liability insurance. To learn more or to find an agent near you, click here.

By Glen Norton
Loss Control East Team Leader
Illinois Casualty Company

A recent trend in the food and beverage industry is to allow dogs to accompany their owners when they grab a bite or enjoy a drink on the outdoor patio. This pet-friendly policy is a great way to attract more customers but is also a way to attract an increased risk to your liability policy.

In some states, a dog owner can be liable for dog bites. A business hosting a dog and its owner could face claims of negligence and premises liability if the dog bites a customer.

Consider the following example: on a hot summer day at a popular bar and grill with a large outdoor patio, a man brought his German Shepard to the pet-friendly establishment. While on-site, a 9-year-old boy, who was there with his family, came up to the man and asked if he could pet the dog. The man agreed, and the boy pet the dog without incident.

A short time later, the 9-year-old and his family got up to leave, and the boy decided he wanted to pet the dog one more time. This time when the boy approached, the dog lunged at the boy and bit his face. The bite broke the skin and caused damage to the boy’s face near his eye.

The police were called, the dog was taken away, and the parents of the 9-year-old boy blamed both the dog owner and the establishment for the incident. A lawsuit was filed against our insured for allowing the dog on-site, alleging that they should have known of the dog’s vicious propensities. Eventually, the lawsuit was settled through mediation.

In situations like these, there are several defenses that can be used:

• The dog was not knowingly aggressive and did not pose a threat to customers.
• The bite victim was trespassing.
• The bite victim provoked the dog.

From a loss control perspective, the only way to prevent all dog bite claims is to not allow dogs on the premises. Since this will likely be unacceptable for some business owners, there are a few things they can do to reduce the likelihood of an incident:

• Signage should be posted that this is a pet-friendly establishment.
• When a dog is present, train your staff to assess the environment at that time. Is it hot outside? Is the area busy and loud? These are all factors that could make a normally friendly dog stress out and become aggressive.
• The size of the dog does not necessarily mean that it is safe. Some of the smaller dogs can be the most aggressive.
• Keep in mind that some pet owners may not act responsibly and will bring a dog on-site that is not properly socialized and may be unsafe around strangers.
• Dogs should always remain on a leash.
• If an employee notices an aggressive dog, they should ask the customer to leave immediately and document the incident.

Are you still not convinced of the perils of allowing pets in food and beverage establishments? Complete a quick Google search of “dog bite at a restaurant”, and you will find at least four incidents in the last year. In each of those situations, the pet owner and establishment could be held liable.

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Illinois Casualty Company is the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association’s exclusive preferred insurer for liquor liability insurance. ICC’s Loss Control Specialists are experienced in minimizing risk and implementing outdoor safety. To learn more or to find an agent, click here.

(Harrisburg, Pa. / May 9, 2025) Two leading statewide liquor industry associations have declared Pennsylvania’s Official Summer Adult Cocktail of 2025.

The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association (PLBTA) along with the Pennsylvania Federation of Fraternal and Social Organizations (PFFSO), both based in Harrisburg, named the Blueberry Lemonade Crush as Pennsylvania’s Official Summer Adult Cocktail of 2025.

In the previous years, the official drink was the Watermelon Crush, Orange Crush and the Bloody Mary.

“We’re asking all bars, taverns, clubs, and licensed restaurants to put this drink on their summer cocktail menu,” said Chuck Moran, executive director of the PLBTA. “It will be a refreshing drink for adults to enjoy.”

Ted Mowatt, executive director of the PFFSO said, “As the summer temperatures climb, the blueberry lemonade crush will be a delightful drink for Pennsylvanians to enjoy.”

Both Mowatt and Moran urge bar and club patrons to ask their bartenders for a Blueberry Lemonade Crush this summer.

Raising Funds For Rare Diseases

As part of the summer promotion, Holla Spirits, based in York County, will make a donation to Uplifting Athletes for every bottle of their Holla Blueberry vodka sold to a bar or club this summer to make the official drink, or ordered online at www.hollaspirits.com from consumers.

Patrick Shorb, founder of Holla Spirits and a rare disease survivor, says for him this is an opportunity to work on an issue close to his heart. The Penn State grad says he’s thankful for past care he received and is delighted his company can help raise funds to fight rare diseases.

“Finding out that you have a rare disease is quite scary for the patient and their family,” said Shorb. “As a survivor, I can attest to that. It’s an honor to be able to give back by raising funds for research and patient assistance.”

Rob Long, executive director of Uplifting Athletes based in Doylestown, knows how life changing a rare disease can be. The former Syracuse punter saw his life change after being diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.

“Now, more than ever before, funds are needed to research rare diseases,” said Long. “Our organization is humbled to know that there are businesses like Holla who want to help.”

Uplifting Athletes is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 that harnesses the power of sport to build a community that invests in the lives of the more than 30 million people impacted by rare diseases in America. Since its inception, Uplifting Athletes has raised more than $9 million by engaging athletes to positively impact the rare disease community through driving action, awareness, and funding research. To learn more about Uplifting Athletes, visit upliftingathletes.org.

Watermelon Crush Recipe

1.5 oz blueberry vodka (using Holla Blueberry Vodka will result in a donation being made to Uplifting Athletes)

.5 oz Crush Buddy

Equal parts lemonade and lemon lime soda

Security cameras can prove the business acted appropriately during an altercation, potential sale to a minor, refusing service to an intoxicated patron, or the legitimacy of a slip and fall.

Most liability insurance carriers do not offer premium credit to recognize the advantage of properly utilizing security cameras. One company that does make such an offer is Illinois Casualty Company (ICC). This insurer has found that recorded images can greatly reduce claims handling costs when establishing the innocence of the insured. The company passes this cost savings on to those who use security cameras and save the recorded images.

Licensees are strongly encouraged to use cameras both inside and outside the premises. Licensees are also encouraged to keep recorded images for the statute of limitations in their state, generally for up to two years. With new technology and cloud access, this storage ability is attainable and will help protect businesses if a claim should arise.

Security Camera Tips:

• Keep footage as long as possible, ideally for at least two years in Pennsylvania
• Place interior cameras not only above your cash register and front door, but down hallways, seating areas, exits, and dance floors
• Place exterior cameras facing doors, exits, beer gardens, and if possible, covering as much of the parking lot as possible
• If the police request camera footage, give them a copy of the footage and keep the original for yourself and your insurance carrier

Editor’s Note: ICC is the exclusive preferred liability insurance company of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association. If any of our Members are already insured by ICC and have security cameras installed on their premises, contact your ICC agent to make sure you are receiving the premium credit. If you are not with ICC, consider getting an ICC quote through on our of preferred insurance agents that can be found at https://pataverns.com/preferred-vendors/.  Or visit www.ilcasco.com/find-an-agent to locate an ICC agent in your area.

PLBTA Summer Conference
July 14, 2025
Hosted by the Racehorse Tavern (738 N. Biesecker Road, Thomasville, Pa.)

This is a free event for Members of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association. Seating is limited to 60 attendees. Please be sure to register online at at https://form.jotform.com/250704702900144 or by sending an email to pataverns@pataverns.com. If using email, include your name, number of attendees, name of establishment, and phone number.

• 10 a.m. Welcome Address (Chuck Moran, PLBTA, and Jim DeLisio, Racehorse Tavern)
• 10:15 a.m. Get Your Questions Answered — PLCB Wholesale Division: As a licensee, you order plenty of liquor from the state. You probably have questions. Representatives of the PLCB Wholesale Team will take your questions during this informative Q&A session
• 11:00 a.m. PLCB Mixer and Break
• 11:15 a.m. Liquor Liability: Learn what industry specialists with Hospitality Risk Consultants are seeing when it comes to protecting your establishment
• Noon HRC Mixer, Break with refreshments
• 12:30 p.m. Inside Baseball Legislative Session and Impact Lobbying: Learn from PLBTA Lobbyists, Board Members, and Staff what is happening in Harrisburg that could affect your establishment, strategies used to lobby, and your role as a Member
• 1:15 p.m. Working With Pennsylvania Distilleries To Order Supplies: Licensees have an option of buying directly from Pennsylvania-based distilleries that have a limited distillery license. Learn more about the benefits of doing so from an industry specialist with Holla Spirits.
• 2 p.m. Networking hour: Meet with your colleagues and preferred vendors while you enjoy light refreshments before departing
• 3 p.m. End of Conference

Other Summer Conference Activities

• Taste samples from Holla Spirits
• With VGTs and Skill Games heating up at the State Capital, meet with a representative of J&J Gaming to learn more about their products and services. Try out the latest in VGT technology
• Learn about services from Kelly Benefits

Don’t forget to register in advance. Seating is limited. Registration at https://form.jotform.com/250704702900144