Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Launches New Online Owner/Manager Training for Licensees
HARRISBURG, Pa., June 24, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today announced that its Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP) owner/manager training is now available online.
"Educating our licensees and their managers is one of the most important functions we have as a regulatory agency," said Joseph "Skip" Brion, PLCB chairman. "By providing the training online, we hope to increase participation among our current licensees since the training is now easier to access and more convenient."
In addition, free classroom trainings will continue to be offered by the PLCB weekly throughout the commonwealth for those licensees who prefer an in-class setting.
The owner/manager training addresses a number of topics including licensing information, importance of documentation, liability concerns and detection of altered, counterfeit or borrowed identification. Under Act 113 of 2011, all new licensees and newly appointed managers of restaurants, eating place retail dispensers, hotels, clubs, limited distilleries and distributors are required to complete this training within 180 days of approval by the Board, unless successfully completed within the previous two years.
"A liquor license brings with it a great deal of responsibility as it can have a significant impact on the health, welfare and safety of a community," said Robert S. Marcus, board member. "Most of our licensees want to be responsible license owners, and we understand the difficulties they face trying to prevent underage drinking and overconsumption. This training helps provide the tools they need to be successful."
Enacted in 2001, RAMP is a voluntary program made up of five components: owner/manager training, server/seller training, new employee orientation, signage, and an affidavit request. In order for a licensee to get certified, all five components must be completed. In addition to owner/manager training, server/seller training is also available online.
Licensees who are RAMP-certified may get a possible reduction in the fines and penalties issued by the Administrative Law Judge for serving a minor or a visibly intoxicated patron if certain conditions are met at the time of the violation; a possible liquor liability insurance discount and recognition as responsible licensees in their community; and less likelihood of liability arising from of the sale of alcohol to visibly intoxicated persons or minors who subsequently cause death or injury to third parties (those not having a relationship to the bar) as a result of alcohol-related car crashes and other accidents.
Since the program's inception, 28,152 owners/managers and 195,087 servers/sellers have been trained through RAMP.
For more information on RAMP training or to access the online owner/manager component, visit http://www.lcb.state.pa.us/PLCB/Education/RAMP/index.htm.
Established in 1933, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol and also operates more than 600 Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores statewide. Taxes and store profits are returned to Pennsylvania's General Fund, helping to fund essential services such as education, health care, infrastructure and public safety.
Media Contacts: Stacy Kriedeman, 717-783-8864
SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
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