The law was inspired by the 2020 death of a University of Central Oklahoma student killed by a drunk driver who had been overserved alcohol at a wedding venue.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Nearly six years after 19-year-old University of Central Oklahoma student Marissa Murrow was killed by a drunk driver who authorities said had been overserved alcohol at a wedding venue, an Oklahoma law bearing her name has taken effect.
Beginning July 1, bartenders serving alcohol at event venues must complete state-approved training designed to help them recognize signs of intoxication and avoid overserving customers. The requirement is part of House Bill 2369, known as the Marissa Murrow Act.
Murrow died in October 2020 in a head-on collision with an impaired driver. Following her death, her parents, Jeff and Kristy Murrow, worked with Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, and Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, to develop legislation intended to reduce the risk of similar tragedies.
Supporters said the measure closes what they viewed as a gap in Oklahoma law by requiring bartenders at event venues to meet alcohol service training standards. The training will be provided by entities approved by the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission.
“As a volunteer firefighter for 35 years, too many times I have had the unfortunate experience of working tragic auto accidents caused by drunk drivers,” Paxton said in a statement announcing the law’s effective date. He said mandatory training could help prevent the over-service of alcohol before impaired drivers get onto Oklahoma roads.
Hill said Murrow’s legacy will be helping prevent dangerous situations before someone gets behind the wheel and sparing other families from similar losses.
According to Victims of Impaired Drivers, an average of nine Oklahomans die each week in crashes involving substance-impaired drivers.
The Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission is offering free, in-person training sessions for new event bartender licensees as the law takes effect.
