FL H0555

Creates the "Point-of-Purchase Messaging about Alcohol and Pregnancy Act" requiring all alcoholic beverage vendors and manufacturers to display warning signs about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders at their premises.

Mandates warning signs read: "WARNING: DRINKING DURING PREGNANCY OF ANY BEVERAGES THAT CONTAIN ALCOHOL CAN CAUSE SERIOUS LIFELONG BIRTH DEFECTS, INCLUDING MENTAL RETARDATION AND FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME" with minimum dimensions of 8 inches wide by 11 inches high and 3/8 inch typeface.

Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco must produce and distribute signs to vendors, with ability to charge a fee for actual printing, postage, and handling costs, and may post signs online for download.

Specifies sign placement requirements: at main entrance for on-premises consumption, at cash registers or main entrance for off-premises sales, and at manufacturer tasting areas; no other advertisements may be displayed within 2 feet of the warning sign.

Violations constitute a second-degree misdemeanor; division enforces through routine inspections, with violators receiving a warning notice and 60 days to correct, followed by $50 fines for each day of non-compliance after the grace period.

Effective date is January 1, 2011.