What Does SB 650 Require?
Texas Senate Bill 650, officially known as the Deshawn Jagwan Act, requires retailers to electronically verify the age of any customer purchasing alcohol for off-premises consumption.
Before completing a sale, retailers must visually inspect and electronically access the readable information on a customer's driver's license, commercial driver's license, or state-issued ID. If the ID cannot be read electronically (damaged barcode), manual entry is permitted.
In plain English: you need an ID scanner, and you need to use it for every off-premises alcohol sale.
Who's Affected?
The law applies to in-person retail alcohol sales for off-premises consumption: convenience stores, grocery stores, gas stations, and liquor stores.
Notable Exemption
Package stores:
Package stores (TABC-licensed) are currently exempt. Low-volume sellers may qualify for exemptions, and credit card transactions that independently verify age electronically may satisfy the requirement in certain circumstances.
Compliance Timeline
September 1, 2025: Law takes effect. Retailers should begin preparing.
September 2025 – August 2027: Two-year grace period. No enforcement penalties.
September 1, 2027: Enforcement begins. Non-compliant retailers risk fines, license suspension, or revocation.
The Legal Protection You Get
Affirmative defense:
If you scan an ID using an approved electronic device and the scan identifies the ID as valid and the purchaser as 21 or older, your business is legally protected from liability — even if the ID later turns out to be fraudulent. Without a scanner, you have no such defense.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
After September 1, 2027: fines, liquor license suspension, and license revocation from the TABC. Specific penalty amounts have not been finalized as of this writing.
What's Still Unclear
SB 650 does not specify data retention requirements. It's unclear how long businesses must store scanned ID data. Until the TABC provides clarification, retain scan records for a reasonable period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Texas SB 650 require?
SB 650 requires retailers selling alcohol for off-premises consumption to electronically scan a customer's driver's license, CDL, or state ID to verify they are 21+ before completing the sale.
When does the Texas ID scanning law take effect?
Effective September 1, 2025. TABC provided a two-year grace period, with enforcement beginning September 1, 2027.
Who is affected by Texas SB 650?
Convenience stores, grocery stores, gas stations, and liquor stores selling alcohol for off-premises consumption. Package stores are exempt.
What are the penalties for not complying with Texas SB 650?
After September 1, 2027: fines, liquor license suspension, or license revocation from the TABC.
Does SB 650 provide legal protection for retailers?
Yes. If a retailer scans an ID using an approved device and the ID appears valid showing the purchaser is 21+, the business is protected from liability even if the ID is later found to be fraudulent.
Official Sources
- TABC Code and Rules — Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
- Full Text of SB 650 — Texas Legislature Online
Related State Guides
We build ID scanners, not legal briefs. This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For the real stuff — the kind that holds up in court — please consult a licensed attorney in your state. We're great at scanning IDs, but we'd be terrible lawyers.