FAIRMONT– An omnibus liquor bill that passed earlier this month in Minnesota includes a “grandparents’ happy hour” that will allow nursing homes and assisted living facilities to serve alcohol to residents and their guests starting Aug. 1.

According to house.mn.gov, the issue of alcohol in some facilities arose when staff at Amira Choice in Champlin learned that licensed facilities like theirs weren’t allowed to coordinate a happy hour without a permit — and their city didn’t have a liquor permit that fit their situation.

While the bill will no doubt allow some other senior living facilities around the state to put on a happy hour for their residents, some local facilities, like Goldfinch Estates and Ingleside in Fairmont, have already been successfully putting on happy hour events for their residents.

Brody Bents, Sales and Community Marketing Manager at Goldfinch, said “we’re serving wine or beer or speciality cocktails different times of the year so this really won’t change how we’re doing it.”

He went on to say that at Goldfinch they acknowledge that it’s the residents’ home and a place where they can gather and connect with friends and other residents.

“We want a sense of normalcy. I talk often about how our assisted living community is basically independent living with services if somebody needs it to keep them successful… obviously with our activity program, you have happy hour, bingo and other live entertainment. Everyone is into different things,” Bents said.

He added that there are some people who do want a beer and some who don’t but that everyone is welcome to partake in what brings them joy.

Bents acknowledged that there are other facilities around the state that will be affected by this change.

“I think there are a lot of communities that do not offer a happy hour. We went through a period of time where we weren’t. When I got here it wasn’t something that was happening but we got it going again and some of the residents were really happy with it,” Bents said.

Similarly, residents at Ingleside have already been taking part in social hours and Housing Director Cheryl Ashland doesn’t foresee that changing.

“Our residents are pretty independent and have always enjoyed their independent social hours. With our close proximity to Tami’s they walk or scooter over to ‘the bar,'” Ashland said.

She added that no big changes are planned to their programming since the resident council and residents coordinate the planning of their life enrichment events and are pleased with what is currently offered at Ingleside.

The bill will be especially helpful for residents in facilities who do not own a vehicle or have access to one or for those who cannot easily leave but still want to partake in some freedoms. The passing of the bill is viewed as a win for some nursing home and senior rights groups.

LeadingAge Minnesota said in a statement: “Ultimately, the “free the happy hour” bill is about restoring a fundamental expectation–that moving into a senior living community does not mean giving up one’s autonomy.”

The bill also includes some safeguards like requiring that staff serving alcohol is at least 18 years of age and making facilities responsible for preventing overconsumption.