FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2005
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Senate and House Liquor Committees Unveil Major Legislative Package to Curb Underage Drinking 

(Harrisburg, PA)  The four chairmen of the Senate Law and Justice Committee and House Liquor Control Committee today unveiled a comprehensive package of bills aimed at curbing underage drinking and high-risk drinking.  Representative Ron Raymond, Senator Sean Logan and Representative Robert Donatucci joined Senator John Rafferty at the press conference held in Harrisburg to outline the measures.

Rafferty, who chairs the Senate Law and Justice Committee, said the 14 bills contained in the package would make it harder for minors to obtain alcohol, create education programs to prevent underage drinking, and establish stiffer penalties for violations. 

The committees held four joint hearings around the state this year with over 40 testifiers and/or organizations participating.  Rafferty said the bills reflect the input and recommendations they received during those hearings. 

The package of bills includes the following: 

• Driver's license revocation for adults who furnish alcohol to minors
• Increase penalties for adults who furnish alcohol to minors and an injury results 
• Tax credits or license fee renewals credit for ID swipe technology
• Age compliance checks by full-time police departments in conjunction with Pennsylvania State Police
• Mandate keg identification tag
• Mandate alcohol policy for higher education institutions, with alcohol education training
• Mandate Responsible Alcohol Management Program (R.A.M.P.) training for bar/restaurant operators who incur underage drinking liquor code violations
• Increase state funding for underage education by 100% to $1 million annually
• Mandate alcohol testing for any driver involved in accident when death or life-threatening injury occurs
• Increase penalties for driving drunk with a child
• Immunity for minors who act to save the life of another
• Require the Liquor Control Board Bureau of Alcohol Education to report every 2 years to General Assembly on underage drinking prevention efforts
• Prohibit licensees from possessing AWOL (Alcohol Without Liquid) machines
• Permit Victim Impact Panel (VIP) programs in the DUI sentencing process

"Our goal during the hearings was to seek input on the problem, potential solutions and discover ways the Legislature can help to meet funding needs and develop legislation to combat this growing problem," Rafferty said. "I believe the aggressive package of bills we are introducing today will help us meet that goal." 

Rafferty added, "Alcohol is the most frequently abused drug by high school seniors, and its use is increasing. The American Public Health Association estimates that two-thirds of high school seniors consume alcohol, with one-third of those being binge drinkers."

Representative Raymond said, "Underage drinking remains a serious problem, with more than 17 percent of 12 to 18-year-olds reporting drinking in the past month.  Studies also indicate that minors remain overrepresented in alcohol-related fatalities.  As the chairman of the House Liquor Control Committee, I am anxious to work with my colleagues on this bipartisan effort to curb underage drinking." 

According to experts, adults are the biggest source of alcohol for underage drinkers with 65% of underage drinkers getting their alcohol from parents or adult friends.  A recent report to Congress by the National Academy of Sciences identified parties, friends and adult purchasers as the most frequent sources of alcohol among college students and older adolescents, and family members as the most frequent source for younger adolescents. 

Contact:  Mark Meyer 717-787-1387