Lawmaker targets parents allowing kids to drink

and Mark Fisher

A state senator is backing a new plan to curb underage drinking by pushing to change a loophole in current law that allows parents to let kids drink booze.

State Sen. Tina Maharath, D-Columbus, said “Ohio’s current law allows parents or spouses of those under the age of 21 to be able to consume or have possession of alcohol. The sub-bill simply eliminates this exception.”

Maharath’s initial version of the bill, introduced in March, called for prohibiting anyone under age 21 from entering bars, restaurant-bars, wineries or breweries where most of the revenues come from alcohol sales. That idea came under heavy criticism from local business owners.

Instead, the new substitute bill would strike out provisions in current law that permits parents, guardians or spouses of under age individuals to allow someone under 21 to possess or consume alcohol with their supervision.

The term “under age individual” is ill-defined so current law could allow parents to buy a shot for their elementary school-age kids or accompany their teen to the liquor store to facilitate purchase of a fifth of booze, a Senate Democrats spokeswoman said.

Maharath argues in her written testimony that people age 12 to 20 account for 13 percent of all alcohol consumption in the United States and that young people who begin drinking before age 15 are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who abstain until age 21.

Senate Bill 115 was introduced in March 2019 and received its first hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Maharath is currently working to have the new substitute version of the bill formally introduced in committee.

Contact this reporter at 614-224-1624 or email Laura.Bischoff@cmg.com.

Contact this reporter at 937-225-7355 or email Mark.Fisher@cmg.com.