AB 520

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. No person (including a licensee or permittee) may procure for, sell, dispense,

or give away 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 procures alcohol beverages for or sells, dispenses, or gives away alcohol

beverages (provider) 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 applies these penalties to a provider with respect to any underage

person, including an underage person who is 18, 19, or 20 years of age.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,

the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a

report concerning the proposed penalty and the costs or savings that are likely to

result if the bill is enacted.