Ohio Senate Bill 348 would require bars and restaurants across the state to offer customers a device to test their drink for date-rape drugs — but as of July 2026, the bipartisan bill is still in committee and is not yet law. If it passes, Ohio would join California and the city of Tempe, Arizona among the few US jurisdictions that actually mandate drink-spiking test availability. This article breaks down what SB 348 proposes, who is behind it, and how it compares to the patchwork of laws elsewhere.
TL;DR: Ohio SB 348 would require bars and restaurants to offer drink-testing devices that detect at least 10 controlled substances, at no cost or at wholesale price, plus posted signage. It is bipartisan (Sens. Blessing and DeMora), includes no penalties for non-compliance, and as of July 2026 remains pending in the Senate Small Business and Economic Opportunity Committee after sponsor testimony on May 13, 2026. It is not law — no Ohio venue is obligated today.
What SB 348 Would Require
Senate Bill 348 calls for bars and restaurants to provide date-rape-drug testing devices to their customers. As drafted, a covered establishment would have to:
- Offer an approved testing device that detects at least 10 controlled substances — including ketamine, GHB, and Rohypnol — with results in under five minutes (see the official bill record).
- Provide it free, or for a fee “not to exceed a reasonable amount based on the wholesale cost” of the devices.
- Post a notice on the premises informing patrons that testing devices are available.
The bill also shields businesses from liability for defective tests or inaccurate results, such as false positives or false negatives — a provision common to these laws, intended to encourage compliance without exposing venues to lawsuits. Notably, the scope is broad: where California’s law reaches only Type 48 license holders, SB 348 is written to cover a far wider base of alcohol-serving permit holders.
Who’s Behind It
SB 348 is bipartisan. It was introduced by State Senators Bill Blessing (R-Colerain Township) and Bill DeMora (D-Columbus), who gave sponsor testimony before the Ohio Senate Small Business and Economic Opportunity Committee. Bipartisan sponsorship on a consumer-safety measure tends to signal durable momentum, even if the path through committee is slow.
The sponsors frame the bill around a simple idea: people should be able to check a drink before they finish it. As DeMora put it in committee, “Every Ohioan deserves to feel safe when they go out.”
How Ohio’s Bill Compares
Ohio would be entering a fast-moving but uneven landscape. The reality is that far fewer of these bills become law than headlines suggest:
| Jurisdiction | Status (July 2026) | Requires kits? |
|---|---|---|
| California AB-1013 | Enacted (July 2024) | Yes (Type 48 venues) |
| Tempe, Arizona | Enacted (effective Aug 1, 2026) | Yes |
| Tennessee HB 2301 | Enacted — felony only | No (mandate removed) |
| Washington SB 5330 | Stalled, never passed | Not law |
| Ohio SB 348 | Pending in committee | Would, if passed |
For the full picture, see our drink-spiking test-kit laws by state guide. Ohio is worth watching precisely because its scope is broader than California’s — but “pending” is not “passed.”
No Penalties, No Mandate Yet: What It Means for Patrons
Two things are worth being clear about. First, SB 348 is not in force — no Ohio bar is required to do anything under it today. Second, even as written, the bill includes no penalties for non-compliance, which makes the eventual obligation closer to “offer and post a notice” than a strictly enforced rule.
For anyone going out in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, or anywhere else in Ohio right now, that means venue-provided testing is not something you can count on. The reliable option is to carry your own. Personal rapid tests like DrinkCheck detect 6+ substances — including GHB, ketamine, cocaine, and scopolamine — in about 15 seconds, and they work whether or not a bill ever passes.
Where SB 348 Stands
As of July 2026, SB 348 remains in the Senate Small Business and Economic Opportunity Committee. The sponsors gave sponsor testimony on May 13, 2026, and the bill has not been reported out of committee or advanced to a floor vote in either chamber. Bills like this often move in stages across a two-year General Assembly session, so the realistic watch points are further committee hearings, amendments to the device standards, and whether the hospitality industry weighs in on cost and supply. We’ll update this article as the bill moves.
If you operate bars or restaurants in Ohio and want to be ready rather than reactive, establishing a wholesale supply relationship ahead of any mandate avoids the last-minute scramble that follows every new law. Venues can apply for DrinkCheck wholesale pricing at any time.
Protect Yourself, Regardless of the Law
Legislation moves slowly; risk does not. Whether or not Ohio passes SB 348, the most dependable protection is the one you carry. DrinkCheck test strips detect 6+ substances — including GHB, ketamine, cocaine, and scopolamine — in seconds. They are portable, discreet, and clinically validated. To understand the substances these tests target, see our explainer on GHB, ketamine, and scopolamine.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Legislative status can change quickly; consult the Ohio Legislature’s official record and your legal advisor for the current status of SB 348. If you suspect you or someone else has been drugged, seek medical attention immediately — in an emergency, call 911.
Last updated: July 10, 2026.
