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House unanimously passes Social Host Liability Act to hold adult hosts accountable for out-of-control underage-drinking events
Summary
First substitute HB313 passed the Utah House 70–0; the bill makes adults who host underage-drinking parties that require law-enforcement or medical response potentially liable for citation and cost recovery, and the substitute adds events held in public places.
The Utah House unanimously passed first substitute House Bill 313, the Social Host Liability Act, on Feb. 25 (70–0).
Representative Hutchings (sponsor) said the substitute corrects a gap that previously excluded underage-drinking gatherings in public places such as parks and campgrounds. The sponsor said the bill targets circumstances where "law enforcement or medical services are being called out because it's gotten completely out of hand," and makes the adult hosts liable for costs; the bill lists penalties including a $250 citation plus additional cost recovery for damages and emergency response.
Members questioned how the bill would interact with religious or ceremonial uses of alcohol and whether enforcement would apply only once law enforcement is summoned. The sponsor responded the statute applies where the event leads to law enforcement involvement; if no enforcement is summoned the statutory provisions do not apply. Representative Hutchings said the bill is aimed at adults who "knowingly and intentionally" host such gatherings and that liability is focused on remedying damages caused by disorder.
The House adopted the substitute and approved the bill unanimously; it will be transmitted to the Senate.
