Ohio & Mahoning Valley - A newly proposed Senate Bill is aiming to crack down on predators who use drugs to try to commit sexual assault at public places. 

Senate Bill 348 requires bars and restaurants to have date rape drug test kits readily available to anyone who suspects their drink was tampered with.

Places required to have the tests will also have to post a notice in a prominent location that informs customers of the availability of a test. Ohio Senator Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) said it’s addressing a statewide issue.

“It’s a complete common sense bipartisan issue, a bill to solve an issue that unfortunately happens far too often and it happens every week all across the state,” said DeMora.

The bill does not specify which type of drug test needs to be used, but it does say that the drug tests that are out for customers need to be able to detect at least 10 different substances.

Danya Sherman, executive director of KnoMore, said while there are multiple types of tests to help detect laced drinks, they are all easy to use.

“Some utilize technologies known as a color metric test, which are color changes. Others utilize a technology called a lateral-flow immunoassay diagnostics. Those are same types of technologies to covid tests and pregnancy tests. They are all very simple, rapid technologies,” said Sherman.

Sherman is an advocate who had her drink spiked over a decade ago, and dedicated her life to stopping this from happening to others.

She spoke with Ohio lawmakers about the importance of the legislation, leading to the start of the bipartisan bill, saying they should be available to anyone who feels uncomfortable when drinking at a bar.

“If you are unable to keep your drink in sight, you notice odd behavior, or you're unable to observe your drink being made, those are opportunities whereby a drink test can add value. But really it's the discretion of the individual,” said Sherman

Sherman said there are three main benefits of the bill.

“One for patrons, that if they're ever uncomfortable, to know that there are resources available to empower themselves. Two, for nightlife staff as augmented bystander awareness, but also three, as a deterrence for the perpetration of drink spiking,” said Sherman.

Ohio Senator Louis Blessing (R-Colerain Township) agrees, saying it would make people think twice before spiking a drink.

“If somebody is going to try to roofie a drink, for example, but they know that test strips are readily available everywhere. It's not going to likely end well for them. Especially if somebody does decide to use one of these,” said Blessing.

Senator Blessing said those working on the bill are trying to see how, or even if there should be a punishment for bars that don’t comply with the law.

“We're trying to figure out what the best avenue for this is. Do we make this as some sort of punishment for the establishment, which that's not really where we want to go? Or do we, you know, increase permit fees,” said Blessing.

DeMora said the law would apply to most bars and restaurants with a full service bar.