A new Oklahoma law aimed at preventing drunk driving tragedies took effect Tuesday, requiring bartenders at event venues to obtain a specialized license and complete alcohol service training before serving guests.

The Marissa Murrow Act was named in honor of Marissa Murrow, a University of Central Oklahoma sophomore who was killed in a wrong-way crash in 2020 after an intoxicated driver left a wedding.

Supporters say the legislation closes a gap in Oklahoma’s alcohol laws by holding bartenders at private event venues to many of the same standards already required at bars and restaurants.

Closing a loophole

Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, authored the legislation after working with Murrow’s family for several years to address what he called an unintended loophole in state law.

Before the law took effect, bartenders working in restaurants and bars were required to hold an employee license and receive training on responsible alcohol service. Those requirements, however, did not apply when bartenders served alcohol at rented event venues such as wedding halls and banquet facilities.

“What we tried to do through the Marissa Murrow Act was identify a space where there was an exception to the rules that everyone else abides by,” Hill said. “We wanted to protect families, protect venues and keep our roads safer.”

The legislation creates a separate event venue bartender license requiring applicants to complete in-person training through the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission.

Hill said the goal is not to punish businesses but to provide bartenders with the same training and authority to recognize intoxication and stop serving alcohol when necessary.

“This legislation is very much about empowering and providing proper training,” Hill said. “By doing that, we’re making Oklahoma stronger, and we’re making it safer for our kids and our grandkids.”

A law inspired by tragedy

The legislation honors Murrow, a Mustang High School graduate and UCO student whose death prompted her family to advocate for changes in Oklahoma’s alcohol laws.

According to court documents, Malcolm Penney was approximately twice the legal blood alcohol limit after leaving a wedding when he drove the wrong way on the John Kilpatrick Turnpike and struck Murrow’s vehicle head-on as she was returning to Edmond.

Hill said Murrow’s parents, Jeff and Christy Murrow, began working with lawmakers shortly after the crash to prevent similar tragedies.

“I’ve found Jeff and Christy and families like theirs to be an inspiration,” Hill said. “To push through the pain and continue showing up to try to fix a problem—hopefully because of their willingness, one more life will be saved.”

Hill said the issue remains significant statewide, noting that an average of nine Oklahomans die each week in crashes involving impaired drivers.

“We can and should do better,” he said.

New licensing requirements

The Marissa Murrow Act establishes an annual event venue bartender license that is separate from the employee license already required for bartenders at bars and restaurants.

Applicants must pay a $50 annual fee, register through the ABLE Commission and complete mandatory in-person training before receiving the license.

Lori Carter, general counsel and assistant director of the ABLE Commission, said the training focuses on identifying intoxicated patrons, preventing overservice and ensuring alcohol is not served to minors.

“We give those event venue bartenders the in-person training that will equip them with the ability to make sure they’re not serving underage people and that they’re not overserving the people that attend these events,” Carter said.

The commission has already hosted free training sessions in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Poteau and Eufaula and plans to continue offering classes statewide as demand increases.

“We really want Oklahomans to be safe,” Carter said. “We want everyone who’s licensed by ABLE to follow those rules and make everyone safer.”

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Who the law applies to

The law applies to venues that are regularly rented or contracted for events where alcohol is served, including wedding venues and banquet facilities.

Government-owned properties and properties owned by nonprofit organizations are exempt from the licensing requirement.

Carter said the event venue license cannot be used to operate a mobile bar, which remains illegal in Oklahoma.

Penalties for violations

Bartenders and event venues that fail to comply with the law may face administrative sanctions from the ABLE Commission, including fines and licensing penalties.

In some cases, violations may also result in criminal charges under Oklahoma’s alcohol laws.

Hill said the legislation simply extends existing accountability measures to event venues rather than creating entirely new penalties.

“All we’ve done is make sure that the same requirements that are already in law are also in place when someone is at a venue consuming alcohol,” he said.

For Hill and Murrow’s family, the law represents years of work aimed at ensuring the circumstances surrounding her death are less likely to be repeated.

“Life shouldn’t be at risk when our kids leave our homes,” Hill said. “We shouldn’t have to fear because someone was overserved.”