SC Amends Liquor Liability Law

After several months of lobbying from both advocates and those opposed to tort reform the state of South Carolina’s governor, Henry McMasters, signed into law a new bill aimed to help give relief to the increase liquor liability insurance premiums for restaurant and bar owners. 

The law which was signed into law on May 12,2025 and goes fully in effect on January 1, 2026 has set forth a few key changes which law makers are hoping will start to bring some stability to the insurance marketplace. The entirety of the bill can be found HERE. 

The Bill, H3430 has set forth a few new provisions. These provisions include but are not limited to:

• The opportunity to have establishments qualify for reduced coverages
• A new definition of “Knowingly intoxicated” to when an establishment can no longer serve a patron
• A requirement for alcohol server training
• The ability for alcohol to be sold at collegiate sporting venues
• New per occurrence insurance requirements

The hope is that these changes will help to start and stabilize the increasing insurance prices that the hospitality industry ahs been experiencing over the last several years.