. '
. .
./ '
. :.;;::; . .
. ' . .' . ..  ',..   ...' -. " ' .- ..  ""'..  ', / .'' ' " .. " -'' ''. .:...'   .-' ' , . . .. .
Depare ti; 
lIiservces 
rit  of Hea1 bm:
. OFFI,
CE'  O:F ' 
GENERA 
. INSPECTOR" 
AND; ALCOH.OL: 
YOUTH 
LAWS AND ENFORCEMENT 
COMPENDIUM OF STATE LAWS 
sfV1. 
'6 
SEPER 
oQa  1991  ' -. . 
" '
: .
-- " ' , ' :/ ' " ' ' .
. ' , , " ,,,  ,'   . . ' ,. , - ' ..  . : ' " , - :. - .':  '.;. ;'" :. ' , ':' '.':\.,. :,:'  ':::' :?, ;,;: :/' :"' ; :: ,~;"\' .:~; \"  ..~: .':'j . : ~, -'"   ' ''~"; ;:---; ,- ..''-.;- ,   '  ::, ;.  " :, ."   '.. ."..  ' .,;., ;.- -,,'  ; '";:;, .:-'\:, :::\::'.; -;-;:,  ' :,:.:!;:";:  :;-;;- : -,:,.-:: ::.: . -',; , , .
:'t 
OFFCE, OF$SPE 
c;l 
(;i;, 
The miion, of the Offce of Inpeor General (010),. as mandated by Public Law 
95-452, as '
amended, is to protec, the integrty of the Depanment of Heath and Human Serv 
' (HHS) ,
progrms as well as the health and welfare ofbenefiCiari  served by" those progrms. Th statutory
miion is 
carred Qut through a nationwide netwrk of'audits, investigations, and inpeions
conducted by three 010 operating components: ' the ()ffce of Audit Servce, the Offce '
Investigations, and the Offce of Evaluation and Iipeions. The 010, ais .inform the Seetary, of
IlS of progrm and management problems and recmmendS'cou  :to Correc th m. -
f:7.' 
OI' 
The OIG's Offce of Audit Servce (OAS)provid  all auditiig semCe for HHS, either by
nducting audits with itS Ow ' audit resurc" or by ,Ove  iDgauditwork done by othc;rs. ,
Audits exmine the performanCe of HHSprogramandlor itsgianteealld contractors 
" carrng out their respetiVe responsibilties and ate" mtt;nded to provide indepeiident
esments of HHS programs a d opera ionsirorde joredu  abUs 
mismanagement and to promote ecnomy aDd'  ctencythrougho'uYtatsthee,  ' pepartamnde nt.  :I:'
OJi  IN:ljJi:1::')c::  ::::t;:j",;t::~  e;;;::
O:J 
ria 
The OIG's Offce of Irvestigations (01) ,  duc " cM  ;.d' admtrative
ts ' 
investigations of alegations of wrongdoing in HHS program or to HHS beneficiaries ,and of'
tocral 
unjust ennchment by providers. The 
investigative effort of 01 lead 
. cpaodmnitnrroitl rouantiitvseg w shaincrcht imionnsti,g oar. tcei v ai' mn o pnery opetneal ties  The or alS overs Sttha tMe McOeenvdidctcioansi, d'  fiaud

frud and patint ab  in 
OFFCE OF EVALUATION ,AN n SPECIONS 
The DIG's Offce of Evaluation and InpetionS (DEI cOnducts short-term management and
program evaluations (called inpetions), that focus on isueS of concern to the Deparent,
the Congres  and the public. The fidings and recmiendations 
contained in thes 
inpection report generate rapid, accrate" and' up-to-date inormation on the effciency, '
wlnerabilty, and effectivenesofdepartmentalpro  in. 
Th  :, ii:
report was prepared under the direction of Kaye ,  dwell Regional InspefOr
D. 
General, and Paul' A Gottlober, Deputy Regional' Inpetor General, Offce and Evaluation 
and Inpetions, Region IX Participating, in this project were: ' 
Elizbeth Bell  Jenner Malen 
Robert Gibbons  . Brian Pattisn 
. DebOrah Harvey 
"Brad Rolln
Lob 
Donald 
Elame Shelub 
Maruta Zitans, Headquarters  -,:. ., 
Department of Health and Human 
Servces 
OFFICE OF 
GENERAL 
INSPECTOR 
YOUTH AND ALCOHOL: 
LAWS AND ENFORCEMENT 
COMPENDIUM OF STATE 
LAWS 
usserow 
Richard  P. 
INSPECTOR GENERA 
00 
'ol 
""a  OEI-09-91-0055  . . ..  ..  ..  ...   ...   ...   .....     .....     .....     .....     .....     .....     .....     .....     ... ..  .  .. ..  .  .. ..  .  .. ..  .  .. . . . . .  .. ..  .  .. ..  .  . ... .   . ....     .....     .....     .....     .....     .....     .......     
... . . . . . . . ..  ..  ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ....    ....    ....    ....    ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ...   ..  ..  . 
TABLE OF 
CONTENTS

INODUCI0N 
. . . . . . . . . . . 1

MA1Rc.  .................................................. 4

Loopholes in State Laws. . . 

. . 4

Penalties Against Vendors Who Sell Alcohol to Minors

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Penalties Against Minors

. . . . 9

ntrollng Alcohol Sale and Distribution 
Employment of and Sales by Minors 
Dram Shop and Social Host Laws

Laws Prohibiting Adults From Aiding Minors

Creative Methods to Enforce Laws and Penalize Offenders 
Liiting 
Sales Near Schools and Universities  ...
..,-...
INTRODUCTION
PUROSE
This compendium presents State alcoholic beverage control laws relating to youth for
all 50 States and the District of 
Columbia. 
BACKGROUN
In response to public health concerns and the 
adverse health consequences of
alcohol abuse, Surgeon General Antonia Novello requested that the Offce of 
Inspector General (OIG) provide information on 
State alcohol laws pertaining to 
mior 
youth. These concerns  one of Department of Health and Human Servces 
alcohol. 
Secretary Louis Sullvan s goals which is to reduce the prevalence of alcohol 
problems among children and youth. This report is one in a series prepared by the
OIG related to youth and 
Youth Alcohol Use

dring  dri 
As  reported in recent surveys, youth under the legal  age of 21  alcohol. 
In a June 1991 report, the OIG reported that 51 percent of the 20.7 milion junior
and senior high school studedntrs  have had at least 1 drink within the past year. In 
addition, 8 millon students  weekly, 454 000 binge weekly, and 6.9 mion 
purchase their own alcohol from stores.
! According to the 1990 National High 
School Senior Survey, 89.5 percent of high school seniors have drunk alcohol 
at least

once, and 32.2 percent have experienced a "binge" of five or more 
driks in a row
with 
the previous 2 weeks.

State Alcoholi Beverage Contl
Two directives have infuenced greatly States
' control of alcoholic beverages. First
Arcle XX of the United States Constitution, which repealed prohibition
, grants
States "  control over whether to permt importation and sale of liquor and how to 
Mium 
strcture the liquor distnoution system." Second, the National  Drinkg
Age Act of 1984 requires each State to make purchase and public 
possession by
persons under 21 years of age ilegal or risk 
reduction in highway funds.

lattce  of Inspector General, 
 Youth and AIcohol: A National Survev--Drinkinl! Habits. Accs.
Attitudes. and Knowledee. June 1991, p. 
2University of Michigan, Intitute for Social Research, "Monitoring the Future: A Continuing
Study of the Ufestyles and Values of Youth: January 
1991. . ,

"".
In response to these mandates
, States have developed unique liquor laws 
relating to
youth. These laws mayor 
may not address: 
Sales to miors. 
Prohibits vendors or any other persons from sellng, giving, 
or otherwse providing 
alcohol to minors. 
Purchase. Prohibits or limits minors from obtaining 
alcohol from vendors or 
other sources.

Possession. Generally prohibits or limits 
minors from carrng or handling
alcohol. All State laws contain various exemptions
, such as handling alcohol 
in the course of employment and possession with parental permission. 
Consumption. Prohibits or limits minors' actual drinking of alcoholic 
beverages. 
Mirepresentation of 
age. Provides for penalties against minors who present
false identification or otherwse represent themselves as being of the legal
purchase age. 
In addition, States may regulate alcohol sale and distribution, establish advertising 
gudelines, and enact penalties for violators of these 
laws. State Alcoholic Beverage
Control (ABC) agencies generally administer these 
laws. 
MEODOLOGY 
Durig 
July 1991, we reviewed all State alcohol control laws and regulations primarily 
pertaing to youth. We used 
Liquor Control Law
the Commerce Clearing House 
Reporter, 
which continually tracks and updates State liquor control laws. To validate 
our information, we also used the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 
Di est of State Alcohol-Hi hwa Safe Related Le 'slation and the Distiled Spirts 
Summary of State Laws and Regulations Relating to
Council of the United States 
Distiled Spirits  We did not verify the data with States. 
In addition, we conducted intervews with ABC and/or State enforcement 
agency
offcials from 48 States and the 
District of Columbia. For Hawai 
and Nevada, we
intervewed offcials from appropriate 
local enforcement agencies. We used
structured, discussion guides to obtain 
information about State laws, loopholes
enforcement
, and creative practices. 
DESCRONS 
OF MATRCE 
The matrices on pages 5 and 6 provide an overvew of the major 
laws and loopholes
relatig to miors 
and alcoholic beverages. The matrices on 
pages 8 through  ':':,,-
14 detail the penalties associated with breaking these 
laws. The fial 6 matrices, on 
pages 17 through 27, detail various issues relating to the distribution, sale, and 
regulation of alcoholic beverages.  ::-"-..
TRICES
MA 
LOOPHOLE IN STA1E LAWS 
The matrices on pages 5 and 6 ilustrate 
loopholes in State laws that allow underage
drinkg. 
Although all States prohibit vendors from sellng to 
minors:
23 States do not make it ilegal for a minor to  attempt to purhae; 
6 States have no laws against minors who  alcohol; 
purhae 
2 States have no laws banning or 
alcohol. 
limiting minors from  possesg 
Thirt-five States have exceptions, other than relating to employment, that
allow minors to possess alcohol. Most commonly, minors may possess with 
parental permission or in private settings. Some States make it ilegal only if
the minors intend to 
consume the alcohol; 
21 States have no laws that make  consptin  by minors specifically ilegal
although the minor may be charged under 
possession laws; and 
16 States have no laws  miepresentg 
prohibiting minors from deliberately 
their  age to obtain alcohol. Nineteen States have no laws prohibiting minors 
presentg false identification docents  Five States have neither 
from 
(ID). 
prohibition. Some ABC offcials stated that their 
misrepresentation of age 
provisions make it ilegal for minors to attempt to purchase alcohol. 
However, seven States have no provisions for misrepresentation of age or
attempting to purchase.  ' " 
" ' , "'  . 
LOOPHOLES IN STATE LAWS 
STATES 
SALE  ATTMPT  PURCHASE 3 POSSES 4 
HA  VE  SE  PO 
: 4T2-fAC-TP:HR P OPRPRRHOOOH HHImT MI TO IORRR US LF MROIM  M MCIAI  YFFRTROIOOM  M A OHBTAAII   ATAOL OCBLA FI R AOBM ELG EFR OM  CAIEHX--PANuAo1RAlElO. LGT OU AR ANLA WS: P
FROM  OR  PO 
E-nAL 
TO  ~~~
, '
LOOPHOLES IN STATE LAWS 
STATES 
CONSUME  PRESENT FAKE ID 3 
-n 
2- LI ESLt 
OO 
MJ 
MIO-YN SP ETOAP HR OTOH P EINN LS UI NM 19I Y E OF AGE DR AL  I. 
3- OR  PMIU P FRRO M AcnAlY  TH  BEVGE

AGE PROHIT  AGE (NT  TO FAL II

FO TH MJ  OF OPBARINaINEG   ALC 
FAL ID PROHIT  FROM  FAL ID TO OBAIN  ..". "'.
PENALTI AGAIST VENDORS WHO SELL ALOHOL TO MIORS 
As shown on the matri on the following page, vendors face various criminal and 
administrative penalties if they are caught sellng alcohol to 
a minor. Criminal 
penalties result from violating State criminal codes and local ordinances. 
Administrative penalties result from violating State and/or local license requirements. 
jail. 
Al States allow vendors and their employees to be charged criminally if convi ted of 
selling alcohol to a minor. These fines range from $50 to $10 000 amI/or 5 years in
Most States also allow ABCs to levy administrative penalties against vendors. For 
the first offense, these penalties range from a $50 fine to a $5 000 fine or a 
6-mont  license suspension. Iowa does not levy administrative 
penalties against 
vendors who sell to 19- or 20-year-olds. 
As discussed in the OIG report "
Youth and Alcohol: Laws and Enforcement--Is the 
21-Year-Old Drinking Age a Myth?", State officials acknowledged that enforcement 
diffculties, lenient courts, and the availabilty of optional, alternative vendor penalties
limits the overall effectiveness of strict laws and penalty provisions.  :-. . ,"...... 
CRAL 
PENALTIE AGAINST VENDORS
STATES  JAI** 
ADMISTTI
FINE 
FIE 
SUSPENDIRVOKE
:a:,
.m. ...
II  IN  PE  SP 
SP  11  RENS
*M-PTIl FA LSPA C  ULSIUS  OR AA RUAREN  R F FOO1 S1 S EEMAY   BTETO OP AEP IP XA ELEBAIUN B   tL71LIA8  AE ARONN FN U tNO   J TOT O1 D2I N0Y  YCECE    OLOALLWS AN 
-JAI TES  MA  PENALTI AGAIST MIORS
The following six matrices describe the penalties against minors who violate alcohol
laws concerning: 
(1)(cid:1) Attempt to purchase. Penalties against minors who attempt to purchase 
alcohol from vendors range from a $10 fine to a $1,000 fine with a I-year jail 
term. 
(2)(cid:1) Puchase. Penalties against minors who purchase alcohol from vendors range 
from a $10  000 fine with a I-year jail term. 
fine to a $5 
(3)  Possession. Penalties against minors who are caught ilegally carrng or 
handling alcoholic beverages range from a $10 fine to a $5 000 fine with a 
year jail term. 
(4)(cid:1) Consumption. Penalties against minors caught drinking alcoholic beverages
range from a $25 fine to a $5 000 fine with a I-year jail term.
(5)  Mirepresentation of age. Penalties against minors who represent themselves 
as being of legal drinking age range from a $10 fine to a $5 000 fine with a 
year jail term. 
(6)(cid:1) Fale Identication. Penalties against minors who use false ID to obtain 
alcohol range from a $25 fine to a $5 000 fine with a I-year jail term.  :, ,
;" .  = ::::
,; "''";,.." " '" -,' "::.: ""  ':."' ::,,:  '"''.g ''  " ::::' ,. .' ' : ::::: ::: ,::" ::":  ::::"";:':  :':'":...::' .;,: ;,:  .".:.    : ;,;",. "'':-j':,:    ":".:""''.-. .;.- ..- "'':''::.:..';'',;,. ", " ' , , , .,.".: :,.,, :;.::. 
PENALTIES AGAINST MINORS WHO 
FINE 
STATES  ATIEMPT TO PURCHASE*** 
CLASS  JAIL TERM 
$50-$50 
MISDEMANOR "
MAX ,3 MOO 
;CNOtA SSTAST U3T- M0 0 0I .S 0 .D 0 0  N, OM STAA T$U5 00 0 0  0  NOSTATU  ; 0 0
MA:, 
3O DAYS 
o 0 0 0 NION STCATUTT 0O 0 0 0 0N 0 . 0 N MO SAT ATU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NO STATUT. 0 . 0
$100
PET OFF/MSD*  $50 
$25$100I$25$1() NONE- MOS*
sfATuT.  OSTATU..  ATuo 
STATu  0 00 0 "  l:'  ;YNd::StATU; ooo
;o oo  NO"STATUT' 
oo  00  00  00  NNOO  SSTTAATTUUT  00  ..  00  00  0.  .0  00  00 N NOO  SSTTAATTUU  00  00  00  00  0 0 0 0 NNOO  SSTTAATTUUTT  0 . . 0 
o o. 0 NO STATUT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NO STA$T1U 00 0 00 0. . 0 0 0 0 0  NO STATUT.0  .0  ..  . 
MA 
, EMEANOR " 
OSTATU:  NOSTATImr; o.  STArt: 
INFRo 000C 00   " 
:!;,.CtASSC  MA $50 "  SrATI ' 
o 0 0 . NO STATUT 0 0 . . 0 0 0 0 NO STATU 0 0 0 0 . 0 0 0 NO STATUT 0 00 0 
ONEMA  MONT 
JU/CLASS  C-MISD- $100$501$100$50 
$3 
i;j 
ft:
:i:1 
$700 
. 0 0M . NIOS SDTEAMTUE 0A 0 0N 0 0O . 0R 0 N MO SAT ATUT 0 . 0 0 o. 0 0M NOA S TATUT 0 0 0 0
90 DAYS 
P,;STATU  \ 0  ;;o NQ'; STATU:o . o  StA1i'  ;i'; 
Sti 
CL inMrD:l'  :i  MAS50 ","f'  .o,
MAX 3 MOS 
o.  00  00  00  NNOO  SSTTAATTUTU.  0 0.  .. .0  00  .. ..  0.  NNOO  SSTTAATTUU .0 . 0  o0.  00 . .0  00  00  NNO O SSTATTUA  TUT 0 0 0 . 
:RDERtY:'PERSbN  $100:  M:OS" 
;fSA
MIDIICTO:':JNi'  * 
UNSMPEAC IFD$I$5250* M A 2 YEARSINONE*
CLAS B-MISD 
MA 
MAX $100  30 DAYS
1S DEGREE-MISD 
MAX 6 MOS 
"MA $100, ,
," SDEMEANOR' 
VIOLATION, '  :MAS25 
:' $25-$100" 
$100 
o 0 . .C NLOA SSTAST U2T- 0 M0 .I 0 0S 0 D0 0  NMO SATA T$U 20 0 .0. .  0 0 .M NOA S TATUT 0 0 0 0
30 DAYS 
:ti 
oo  0.  0.  0.  NNOO  SSTTAATTUUT .0  . o. 0 0 ..  0.  NN$OO  S2STT5AAT0TUU$T  01 0 00 0 .0 0 .  . NNOO  SSTTAATTUUTT  0 0 0 0 
MISDEMEA0 .N. . O.  R  0 0 0 0 . 0 . .  0 0 0 0
MAX 90 DAYS 
::;:MA72 
FE~~OR 
:jMlEMEANOR; " 
$750 
MA 
BLA SPACE INCATE THAT INRMATI IS NOT SPCI IN CCH LAWS AND REGUTIONS
-SEPARTE PROVINS EEXIX F FORO  PERSON UUNENR  1911 TO 20 JU-JU OFNS

-SEARATE PROVINS  PERSNS  18/8 TO 20 
-ATMPT TO PUCHE: PROHIT OR LIMI MINS ATIMPG TO OBAI ALCOOL FROM VEDORS ... 
.."-."~ ...~ ..~ .~."~  ' " 
... 
--..; .'.'; :.  ... ..... -. :: ' ...,,   ." .,   .. .  ::;  .".,,..,' "'' '"  , "". .. :!" , , 
FI 
PENACLTILES AAGASINSST  MINORS WHO PURCHASE***
STATES 
JAIL TERM 
MIDEMEANOR  $SO$50  MJ, 
$50  :MOS,
CLASS A-MISD  MAX  MtXl,:YEAR 
$25 
" CLASS' I-MISD  MAX  .MAX6. MOS' 
$10-$50 
$250-$100 
$2$I00I$ 
TI 
' i\ E; 
lid'STATU.... ;):'  oST nr':'
:'1 
N6STATU.... .... 
NO STATUE....
MISDEMMAISNODR  MA $30
PEI 
MA $100
fMISDEMANoR" " 
$100, " 
C+MID.  MAi
:ctAS  $5O:' 
CEAS CINC.  ::MAX  5O"
MISDIVOLATION* 
$100/$15
JU/CLASS C-MISDH $100$50/$100$5 
$10-$100 
'MAJ($30 
:$I00$3(Xr;,
MA $100 
$30 
MAX $25
MISDEMEANOR MA 
$700 
DEMEANOR  ::'MA;, $100 
N(l
CLASS IrI-MISD MA $50
MISDEMANOR MA 
$100 
. . . . NO STATU. . .. . . . . NO STATUE. . . 
'1S 
.'Ef
af!- . 
MISDIIAcnON* UNSPEClI$25* 
CLAS B-MISD MA $50
1S DEGREE-MISD MA 
$1000 
$100 
$100$20 
MA 
$200 
MA $50 
MA $25 
CLASS l-MISD

MISDEMEANOR  $100 
DEMANOR  MM:$5' 
tti;MIDEMANOR :"  AX$750' 
';1: 
BLA SPACE INCATEE TXHA T INRMATION IS NOT SPCI IN CCH LAWS AN REULON
"SEAR1' PROVONS  FOR PERON UNER I9 TO
--SPEUARCTEH PR OVIIONS EX LFOI  PERSO UNER  O1811B8  TAO 2I0 
PROHIrr OR  MIORS FROM  ALCOHOL FROM  . ,'...;.;... 
. ,  ."..!.:..:.!::;:;:': :,;" . ......  .".."' ..."
FI 
PECNALLTIEAS ASGASINS T MINORS WHO POSSESS
STATES 
JAn. TERM 
MISDEMEANOR  MA 3 MOS 
.GLASS A..MISD  MA ,1 YEAR' 
CLAS l  MISD  MAX 6 ' MOS 
... .n. ...,.n 
;iSTATU, 
'm ,, 
MAX 60 DAYS
MA 
30 DAYS 
MA 
30 DAYS 
;.i;;i:. 
B.SELAAR TSPEA PCER IONAVTIE  ETXHT F ION RPMEANTSI OUN NIDS RN OIT 9S PTOE CI IN CCH LAWSO ANF RFEG UATINS
--SPEAERASTE  PROVINS EXIST FOR PERNS UNER 1818 TO 20. JU.1UNIE 
PROHIT MIOR FROM CARYING OR HAUN ALCOHOLIC BEVGES . ',,   ." 
 . ....
FI 
PENACLTILESA AGASINSST  MINORS WHO CONSUME**
STATES 
JAI 
TERM
SP 
BLA SPACE INTE mAT  IS NO  car LAWS AN REGUTION

-*SEA"RTE NPROVISON   BX FO  INRMPTIOEN NS UNDER 18/8  TO 20DRIN  IN ALCLI 
PROHIIT OR LIM MIRS FROM Ac:AILY  BEVRAGE  \ "
FI 
PENALTIES AGAINST MINORS WHO 
CLMIASRESPRSEE NT THEIR AGE**
STATES 
JAIL TERM 
-M 
PE 
ATTUI P PERTUAAIG TE O  PROOHBITTA 18M IAI NRAS L UFONRELORM   OMNYISRPREN TH AGE (NO LIM TO FALS ID)
FOR  OF  . -..!-,, . ' ..  ..
PENALTIES AGAFINSTI MNINORS  WHO
CPLRESAENST FSALS E IDENTIFICATION*
STATES
JAn TERM
. . . . NO SfATUT .. . .
-: . NO SfATUT . . 
MA 
90 DAYS 
. . . . NO SfATUT . . 
IDATI 
PRES 
-PRNT FALS  PROHIIT MIORS FROM  FALS ID TO OBAI ALCO  , .
CONTOlLG ALOHOL SAL AN DISTRUTON 
The following matrix describes States' general administrative structures. 
Each State is responsible for the licensing and/or control of the alcoholic beverage
distribution. Eighteen "control" States have partial or total responsibilty, for the 
distribution and sale of alcohol. These States are 
often identifed by the existence of 
State-ru liquor stores. Thirt-three "license" States issue permits or licenses to 
individuals or companies to control the distribution and 
sale of alcohol. 
Thir-nine 
States have "local option" provisions. These allow communities to ban or 
otherwse limit alcohol sale and distribution. 
States require vendors to obtain State and/or local 
licenses. Generally, licenses are 
renewed on an annual basis after a renewal fee is paid and other requirements are 
met. As of July 1991, there were approximately 560 000 retail licenses issued in the 
United States. 
, ;i  CONTOLLING ALCOHOL SALE AND DISTRmUTION 
STATES 
CONTOULlCENSE  LOCAL OPTON  ISSUIG LICENSES 
:=Y
) H:  DI 
RE 
H. 
LI 
STATII SAR  PAIYG ORP 1OEUY    INAL FO TI  AN 
SlTE  LO OR  TO  OR roRATINS  DTOI SES  TA LCO 
2-OC OPN: ALWS 
 TO  ENAcr LAWS  TO UM TH  AN SALE OF ALCOOL  . '
---:.- :...
EMLOYMNT OF AN SAL BY MINORS 
States regulate how old a person must be to sell alcohol and to be employed by a 
vendor in general. 
The matri on the following page shows that 44 States allow minors to sell and/or 
serve alcohol without adult supervsion. AIl States allow minors to work in some 
capacity for licensed establishments. 
State laws allowing minors to sell or serve alcohol may result in easier youth access 
to alcohol. Accordig to an OIG survey of junior and senior high school students 
more than 3.5 millon students purchase alcohol from stores with young clerks, and 
almost 3 milion students purchase alcohol from stores where they know the clerk.  ' , 
,,  ,._-- . : ...';"""""  :;;'  :" ;,,  
AN 
EMPLOYMENT OF  SALES BY :MORS 
STATES  TO SELL 
MIUM 
MINIMU AGE  AGE TO BE 
WIOUT SUPERVISION 
EMPLOYED BY LICENSEE 
. m , 
g1::i 
:::9: 
W"""  ""''
--'
DRA  AN 
SHOP  SOCIA HOST lAWS 
Dram shop and social host laws define the circumstances under which an alcohol 
vendor or other provider may be held liable for providing alcohol to minors. 
State ABC offcials believe that the threat of 
costly litigation deters vendors from
selling alcohol to miors. However, the matri on the following page shows that only
23 States specifically allow lawsuits against alcohol vendors who sell to minors. 
One
State, South Dakota, clearly prohibits such lawsuits. 
Nine States specifically permit 
lawsuits against other persons, such as social hosts (for
example, part hosts or parents who allow minors to drink in their homes) who 
give
alcohol to minors. Three States 
prohibit such lawsuits. 
In 1985, the Federal Government funded the development of a model dram shop 
law. This model law allows lawsuits for damages resulting from sale of alcohol to 
minors. New Hampshire
, Maine, and Rhode Island are the only States that have 
adopted the portion of this model law that concerns minors.  ,..   " 
!- 
' , :,' 
" , " '
;. .:  ".  ..  .. ;  (:,..',: -' ' '" ',",;,;; ; ' ,  :",, " , "  .:,, " ;:: ;:',.': '; .;;"'.~: ;'  ~~ .':.':.:.':.:,,,,,:..:.,;  ..,,:,""; :  ; ,",:.," ';  ,,;:," ' !".!; ;::&"" ' . ":;~',":::",' :~~~ " "' .'""": '!'.j",,':;   "'.";",. ': '" '".'  ...,, ,
DRAM SHOP AND SOCIA HOST LAWS
STATES 
DRAMA SHOLP LALWS  OWSSOCI AL HOST LAWS2

ALLOWS 
ALLOWS
ALows 
" UPRONHICITSL E 
NOTIG SPECIFC TO MIORS NOTHNG SPECIFC TO MIORS
UMTATIONS* 
ALOWS WAIHL  LOWS ALLOPROWHSIITS
 
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.VILY INXITED 
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-ALCO PROVI "RCKESr
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SHOP LAWS AlOWS OR PROHIT LAWS AGAI  FOR DAGMGIE  CAUS BY INOXICATE MIOR. 
2-SOAL HO LAWS ALLOWS OR PROHIIT LAWS AGAIN A PESO WH  ALCOHOL TO A MIR.  .:.
lAWS PROHIITG ADULTS FROM AIING MIORS
The matri on page 23 shows that most States have laws designed to prohibit adults
from helping minors obtain alcohol. Most commonly, States prohibit adults from
buying for, selling to, or giving to minors. Some States only prohibit misrepresenting 
the age of a minor or aiding and assisting a minor in purchasing and consuming
alcoholic beverages. A few States make it ilegal to perform specifc acts, such as 
transporting or possessing alcohol in a car with the intent to sell to a minor.  , "- ,. .' - ." -
STATES  PROIDBITD BY ADULTS ON BEHALF OF MIORS 
ACTS  ,..
CRTI 
MEODS TO ENFORCE LAWS AN PENALIZ OFFNDER 
The following matri ilustrates which States have undertaken creative methods to 
enforce and prosecute youth alcohol offenses: 
Madatory drer's license suspension. Twenty-eight States delay, suspend, or 
revoke youth drivers' licenses for alcohol-related violations. Some States take 
action for any alcohol violation, while others do so for specifc violations only. 
The suspension varies from several days to several years, depending on the 
State, the violation, and the minor s record. Officials from States with this 
option argue that traditional, statutory penalties do not deter youth and "the 
one thing that a minor cares about is his driver 
s license. 
Alowig vendors to require purchasers to sign an afdavit (a legal docuent)
swearg that he or she is 21. Eleven States have this affidavit option. The 
affdavit explains the penalties against minors who attempt to purchase alcohol 
or misrepresent their age. Vendors support this because the affdavit serves
as proof that the minor misrepresented his or her age.
trg. 
Mandatory server  Eleven States mandate that all alcohol servers and 
sellers undergo training regarding State alcohol control laws, regulations, and 
penalties, their civil liabilty for sellng to a minor, how to identify an underage 
drinker, and how to determine whether an identifcation card is genuine.
Fort-seven of 51 State officials believe that increasing server training would 
be effective in preventing minors from obtaining and consuming alcohol. 
Prohibitig adverting that appeal to 
youth. Seventeen States have laws that
generally prohibit advertising that appeals to youth. . '. '
CREATIVE METHODS TO ENFORCE ALCOHOL LAWS 
STATES 
SUSPEND LICENSE  AFDAVIT 2 TRA VEDOR  ADVERTISE 4 
LI 
LI 
l-SU 
STATES AULCWI F OMR SUIP ENION OF MJIRN'S DR R'S  FOR VITINS OF ALOL COOL LAWS.

234---ATAFRDA VVVIE:E RR E: QVUE S AN TMH EI MTOP SLIGN A ARNEA  AFSATVIE S wOTFA rTT H Mm MATI  EHE  OMR SHI  ISUA SO VTEOD  2OLVBTE AL
COOL.

LI TH USE OF  OR IMGE  IN ALCOHOL  -:,,"' 
LIMG SAL NE  UNRSIT 
AN 
SCHOOLS 
The matrix on page 27 shows 
that 25 States prohibit alcohol vendors from locating 
their businesses within 100 to 1 500 feet from schools. In addition, 10 States prohibit 
vendors from locating near university campuses.  LIMITS ON SALES NEAR SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIE 
STATES  UNRSIT 
SCHOOL 
DISTANCE  DISTANCE 
DI. 
WAI 
-ABI TM AY AUOW IJ --Y UBB NRS. 
BY