Alert: DABT Proposes New Convenience Business Security Rules
Florida’s Convenience Business Security Act, previously a subject of a Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco informational bulletin, was originally passed by the legislature in 1992. Following some legislative changes in 2021, the Division considered adopting rules pursuant to the authority granted but did not complete the process. Now that new proposed language relating to safety standards, training, and enforcement have been released to the public, operators in Florida may have to also watch out for a new set of requirements.
Truncated versions of the three notices are available below, along with links to the official Florida Administrative Register pages.
Notice of Proposed Rule (1/3)
RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
61A-8.001 Safety Standards
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Provide rules and regulations pursuant to the Convenience Business Security Act as established by Section 812.1701, F.S. Clarify reporting requirements for businesses covered by the act.
SUMMARY: The new rule is proposed to provide a framework for businesses covered by the Convenience Business Security Act to report compliance to the Division.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 812.173, F.S., 812.176, F.S.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 812.173, F.S.
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
61A-8.001 Safety Standards.
(1) Each convenience business shall be equipped with security devices and standards that meet or exceed the provisions in Section 812.173, F.S and Chapter 61A-8, F.A.C., including:
(a) A security camera system capable of recording video images in a format that can be enlarged and reproduced for distribution by law enforcement agencies to assist in their investigation. The security camera system shall be:
1. Positioned to provide photographic coverage of all registers in order to capture the image of all offenders while minimizing tampering by customers or offenders;
2. Maintained on a routine basis to ensure that the security camera system is working properly at all times; and
3. Capable of continuous operation.
(b) A drop safe or cash management device must be installed or secured as specified by the manufacturer’s instructions. The drop safe or cash management device must:
1. Be maintained as specified by the manufacturer; and
2. Offer protection against forced entry and provide a means for depositing currency, checks, and coins directly into the body of the drop safe or cash management device.
(c) Conspicuous height markers with digits at least one inch in height must be present at the inside entrance of the convenience business.
(d) A written cash management policy must be kept at the convenience business and provide:
1. Guidelines for deposits, which shall be made on a regular basis and at variable intervals to minimize offender activity resulting from scheduled deposits or procedures for deposits picked up by an armored car service; and,
2. A recommendation that the employees continually drop all cash in excess of $50 per register in the drop safe or cash management device after 11:00 p.m. and before 5:00 a.m.
(2) Pursuant to Section 812.173(3), F.S., a convenience business may apply for an exemption from the requirement that the convenience business be equipped with a silent alarm to law enforcement or a private security agency. The application for exemption must be on Form DBPR ABT-6081 Convenience Business Request/Approval Form, effective September 2025 and incorporated herein. Form DBPR ABT-6081 is available upon request from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and at https://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-18620.
When a convenience business applies for an exemption from the requirement of having a silent alarm, the exemption form must be accompanied with payment of a $25 administrative fee for each store for which an exemption would apply. The Division shall consider the following factors when deciding to approve or deny an application for exemption:
(a) Explanation of an alternative method to alert local law enforcement or a private security agency of an ongoing crime;
(b) The history of crimes, or lack thereof, committed at the convenience business; and
(c) Past and current compliance with the Convenience Business Security Act.
(3) Pursuant to Section 812.173(5), F.S., a convenience business that is required to implement the enhanced security measures, as provided within section 812.173(4), F.S., may file a Notice of Exemption with the Division by submitting Form DBPR ABT-6081 as described in subsection (2) above. A Notice of Exemption filed pursuant to this subsection is deemed filed on the date of receipt by the Division. The Division shall notify a convenience business that it does not qualify for an exemption, in writing. Each convenience business’ notice of exemption shall include, at a minimum:
(a) The name, address, and license number of the convenience business;
(b) The date of last adjudicated murder, robbery, sexual battery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, or kidnapping or false imprisonment at the convenience business;
(c) A list of security measures, as set forth in Section 812.173(4)(a)-(e), F.S., that the security business implemented;
(d) The date which the security measure(s) described within subsection (1) of this rule were implemented; and,
(e) A signed attestation from a representative of the convenience business attesting to all information required in subsection (3) of this rule.
Rulemaking Authority 812.173, 812.176 FS. Law Implemented 812.173, F.S. History – New________
NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Jaxon Lear
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Melanie S. Griffin
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: August 11, 2025
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: May 17, 2024
Notice of Proposed Rule (2/3)
RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
61A-8.002 Training Curriculum
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: This proposed new rule describes the training curriculum for robbery deterrence and safety training that each convenience business must provide to its employees, in accordance with Section 812.174, F.S.
SUMMARY: The new rule is proposed to provide a robbery deterrence and safety training framework for businesses covered by the Convenience Business Security Act.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 812.173, 812.176, F.S.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 812.174, F.S.
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
61A-8.002 Training Curriculum.
(1) Each convenience business shall provide robbery deterrence and safety training to its employees, in accordance with Section 812.174, F.S.
(2) The training curriculum must include, at a minimum, the following topics:
(a) Robbery prevention strategies:
1. Understanding convenience business security policies;
2. Maintaining visibility to ensure safety;
3. Understanding the convenience businesses cash management system; and
4. Security measures and devices.
(b)Robbery reaction strategies:
1. Robbery reaction; and
2. Robber identification.
(c) Post robbery procedures and strategies.
(d) Personal safety:
1. General crime precautions;
2. Strategies to prevent rape, sexual assault, and other violent crime; and
3. Actions to take following a crime.
(3) The proposed training curriculum shall be submitted to the Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, Department of Business and Professional Regulation by submitting Form DBPR ABT-6081 Convenience Business Request/Approval Form, effective September 2025, incorporated within Rule 61A-8.001, F.A.C., accompanied by payment of a $100 administrative fee for each store for which the proposed curriculum would apply. The proposed curriculum shall thereafter be submitted to the Division on a biennial basis, every two years from the date of the initial approval, accompanied by payment of a $100 administrative fee, pursuant to Section 812.174, F.S.
Rulemaking Authority 812.174, 812.176 FS. Law Implemented 812.174, F.S. History – New ________
NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Jaxon Lear
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Melanie S Griffin
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: August 11, 2025
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: May 17, 2024
Notice of Proposed Rule (3/3)
RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
61A-8.003 Enforcement
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The new rule is proposed to provide for enforcement of the Convenience Business Security Act as established by Section 812.1701, F.S.
SUMMARY: The new rule is proposed to provide for the handling of violations of the Convenience Business Security Act.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 812.176, F.S.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 812.175, F.S.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
61A-8.003 Enforcement.
(1) The Division shall notify a convenience business of its violation of the Convenience Business Security Act by providing a Notice of Violation, which shall include the specific statutes and administrative rules that the convenience business violated. The convenience business shall resolve the issues within the Notice of Violation within 30 days of delivery.
(2) If a violation set forth within the Notice of Violation is not corrected within 30 days of delivery of said Notice, an administrative fine shall be imposed in the amount of $750 to $5,000 for each violation of the Convenience Business Security Act.
Rulemaking Authority 812.176 F.S. Law Implemented 812.175, F.S. History – New .
NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Jaxon Lear
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Melanie S Griffin
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: August 11, 2025
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: May 17, 2024
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