2003 – has passed through both houses of the Olbiil Er a Kelulau (OEK) and would soon be enacted into law, if the President approves of it.
RPPL 6-14 mandates that cabarets and nightclubs be open for business from 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. during weekdays; and be allowed to remain open until 4:00 a.m. on weekends – except Sunday nights – and on nights proceeding legal holidays.The OEK found that since the enactment of RPPL 6-14 in 2003, there has been an alarming rise in alcohol related incidents in Palau. It states that “in 2007, alcohol-related car accidents became the second leading cause of the death in [Palau],” and the leading cause of death of people ages 17 to 24. The committee further states that more than a third of all the alcohol-related accidents occurred after midnight as shown in statistical reports from the Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) and the Ministry of Health (MOH).In addition, OEK indicated that BPS “has had to contend with increased alcohol-related violations involving minors” and has dealt with a significant increase of alcohol-related disturbances and altercations due to late closure of nightclubs.Despite concerns that the earlier closing time of 2:00 a.m. – as proposed in the bill – could affect the financial interests of the businesses, the OEK opts “to protect the health and safety of all the people in the [Palau]”.An earlier version of the bill had passed through OEK and forwarded to the President for review and approval on May 15, 2008. After considering the bill, the President referred it back to OEK with recommendations of changesA new version of House Bill No. 7-172-29S, which proposes to change the closing time of all cabarets and nightclubs to be restricted to 2:00 a.m. regardless of weekends or holidays and sets penalties as suggested by the President, has re-passed through OEK and is on its way to the President’s office to become law.If the bill becomes law, all cabarets, nightclubs, and other business that serve alcoholic beverages shall be mandated to close no later than 2:00 a.m. every night. Further, anyone who serves, sells or permit another to consume alcoholic beverages within the premises of the business is liable to be fined no less than $100 and not more than $1000; and a business will be held accountable for the sale of alcoholic beverage sold of on with its premise.
