What is The Social Host Law?

The primary purpose of the Social Host Law is to deter underage drinking parties or gatherings where adults knowingly allow minors to drink alcohol or alcoholic beverages. The law applies to any adult(including parents) who is over the age of 18 & who knowingly allows consumption of alcohol by minors(any person under 18).

Who Can Be Charged?

Anyone who is over the age of 18 who owns, rents, or otherwise controls a private residence & knowingly allows the consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by any minor on such premises, or Fails to take reasonable corrective action upon learning of the consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by any minor on the premises

What is Reasonable corrective action?

Making a prompt demand that the minor stop drinking the beverage or leave the premises& if the minor refuses to comply with the request, the adult must promptly report the underage drinking to local law enforcement, or to any other person with a greater degree of authority over the minor(e.g. the minors parents or guardians)

What are the penalties?

1^st Offense $250.00

2^nd Offense$ 250.00 - $500.00

3^rd Offense $ 1,000.00 and up/or up to a year in jail

 

Why is It Needed?

This law provides a legal basis for holding adults responsible for knowingly allowing parties for youths under 21 to occur on their property whether or not they provided alcohol.

THIS LAW DOES NOT APPLY TO A PARENT WHO BOTH EXPRESSLY PERMITS HIS OR HER MINOR CHILD TO CONSUME ALCOHOL OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGESCAND WHO IS PRESENT WITH THE MINOR AT THE TIME OF CONSUMPTION