Texas governor signs bill banning shutdowns of kids’ lemonade stands
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill Monday to allow children to operate lemonade stands without interference.
The new law bans cities, counties and public health officials from blocking or requiring permits from children who occasionally sell lemonade and other nonalcoholic drinks on private property and in public parks. The Texas Tribune, CBS Austin and USA Today have coverage.
Homeowners associations may not interfere with beverage sales, as long as the children have permission from the owner of the property where the drink stand is located. Homeowners associations do not have liability for injuries to people participating in sales of the nonalcoholic drinks. The law defines children as anyone younger than age 18.
Abbott posted a video of himself signing the bill and holding up a glass of lemonade.
The Texas legislature passed the bill unanimously. The measure was introduced after the police chief in Overton, Texas, forced two girls to shut down their lemonade stand in 2015 because they didn’t have the required health permit. The children were trying to make money for a Father’s Day present.
The bill’s sponsor got the idea from Country Time, according to earlier coverage by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The company formed a team called Legal-Ade to reimburse children for fines and permit fees related to their lemonade stands.
The Texas law takes effect Sept. 1.
It’s now legal for kids to sell lemonade at stands.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 11, 2019
We had to pass a law because police shut down a kid’s lemonade stand.
Thanks to @RepMattKrause. #txlege #LEMONADE pic.twitter.com/xwfCob2nvV
