Providing alcohol beverages to an underage person who suffers great bodily harm or death from their consumption and providing a penalty

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Under current law, with certain exceptions, a person who has not reached the legal drinking age of 21 years (underage person), and who is not accompanied by his or her parent, guardian, or spouse who has reached the legal drinking age, may not knowingly possess or consume alcohol beverages and may not enter or be on any premises for which a license or permit for the retail sale of alcohol beverages has been issued (licensed premises). No person, including a licensee or permittee, may procure for, sell, dispense, or give away (provide) alcohol beverages to an underage person who is not accompanied by his or her parent, guardian, or spouse who has reached the legal drinking age. If a person provides alcohol beverages to a person under 18 years of age (minor) in violation of these prohibitions, and the provider knew or should have known that the minor was under the legal drinking age, the provider is guilty of a Class H felony if the minor suffers great bodily harm, and is guilty of a Class G felony if the minor dies, as a result of consuming the alcohol beverages provided. A Class H felony is punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 or a term of imprisonment of up to six years or both. A Class G felony is punishable by a fine of not more than $25,000 or a term of imprisonment of up to ten years or both.

This bill creates penalties for persons who unlawfully provide, on licensed premises, alcohol beverages to underage persons who are 18, 19, or 20 years of age, if the provider knows or should know that the person is underage and the underage person suffers great bodily harm or death as a result of consuming the alcohol beverages. The provider is subject to a fine of not more than $10,000 or a term of imprisonment of up to nine months in the county jail or both if the underage person suffers great bodily harm and must be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year in the county jail or both if the underage person dies.

Who's behind it

10 lawmakers are its authors⁠. 7 are Republicans and 3 are Democrats.

1 more lawmaker signed on in support⁠.

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment AA1-AB420