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House approves changes to youth alcohol laws, aligns penalties with drunk-driving statute
Summary
The House passed a second substitute to a bill expanding youth alcohol offenses, adding attempted purchase and solicitation by under-21s, allowing treatment credit toward community service, and aligning driver-license suspensions with the state's 'not a drop' statute; the measure passed the House and returns to the Senate.
Sponsor (Speaker 1) told the House the bill expands the code to make it a violation for anyone under 21 to attempt to purchase alcohol or solicit another person to buy alcohol for them, to add youths to the public-intoxication provision that currently applies only to adults, to permit credit for participation in treatment programs toward court-ordered community service, and to modify driver-license suspension periods.
Representative (Speaker 3) asked why the draft reduces suspension periods on page 2'first offenses from six months or until age 17 to 90 days, and second offenses from one year or until age 18 to six months. Sponsor (Speaker 1) confirmed the changes and said they were made to conform this section to the "not a drop" statute, explaining that the drinking-and-driving offense remains the more serious violation and the code should not impose a higher penalty for the purchase/possession offense.
On courtroom jurisdiction and records, Sponsor (Speaker 1) said the provision applies to juvenile court, not criminal (adult) court, and would create a temporary juvenile record rather than a permanent adult criminal record. Multiple members asked whether license suspensions can be applied when the offense does not involve a vehicle; Sponsor said suspensions are discretionary on a first offense and mandatory on a second under existing practice, and that the bill does not change that framework but merely adds additional predicate offenses that can trigger suspension.
The clerk opened a roll call on the second substitute to Senate Bill 127. The clerk announced the tally as 61 yes, 7 no; the second substitute passed and the bill will be returned to the Senate for further action.
The bill sponsor closed by urging support, saying the changes will strengthen youth alcohol laws and provide options to help youth recognize substance risks while offering treatment credit where courts require service.
The House moved on to other business and recessed at the scheduled time.
