Published: May 18, 2006 11:59 pm         

Governor signs alcohol prevention bill into law

Gov. Brad Henry signed House Bill 3056 into law this week, providing stiffer penalties for anyone providing alcohol to underage drinkers.

The Prevention of Youth Access to Alcohol Law is a comprehensive effort to prevent underage access to alcohol and low-point beer, said Sean Byrne, executive director of PreventionWorkz and member of Oklahoma Prevention Policy Alliance.

“I’m pleased to see the Legislature strengthen existing laws related to underage alcohol consumption,” said Mike Fields, Garfield County assistant district attorney. “This is certainly a positive step to ad-dress a multi-faceted problem.”

Penalties included in the Prevention of Youth Access to Alcohol Law for providing alcohol to a minor are:

• First violation — $500 fine and one year in jail.

• Second v-iolation (within one year) — $2,500 fine and a year in jail.

• Third violation (within one year) — a felony, $5,000 fine and five years in jail.

Penalties for minors consuming or in possession of alcohol:

• First violation — $300 fine, 30 hours community service, mandatory revocation of driver’s license (or delay in issuance if younger than 16) for six months.

• Second violation — $600 fine, 60 hours community service, mandatory revocation of driver’s license (or delay in issuance if younger than 16) for one year.

• Third violation — $900 fine, 90 hours community service, mandatory revocation of driver’s license for two years (or delay in issuance if younger than 16) or until the person reaches age 21 at the discretion of the court.

Offenders also would be required to undergo alcohol assessment (same as DUI), which may result in treatment as the court deems appropriate.

Penalties for retailers selling alcohol to minors:

• First violation — A suspension of a permit for no more than 30 days. The suspension may be waived if employees have participated in an alcohol compliance education program within the past 24 months.

• Second violation (within two years) — Mandatory 30-day suspension of permit (if by the same employee or an egregious nature).

• Third violation (within two years) — Mandatory 30-day suspension of permit (if by same employee, suspension will be 180 days).

• Fourth violation (within 2 years) — Mandatory revocation of permit.

Byrne, who spent a great amount of time talking to lawmakers about the legislation, said he was pleased with the new law.

“I hope it will significantly de-crease adults hosting underage parties,” he said.

Recent Youth Risk Behavior Sur-vey results released by Oklahoma State Department of Health show in 2005 more than 40 percent of high school students reported using alcohol within the previous 30 days. More than 26 percent reported binge drinking during the previous month, and more than one-fourth of all students reported they recently had ridden in a car with someone who was intoxicated.

“From my perspective as a prosecutor, underage drinking can have serious public safety implications, and I’m glad to see the Legislature has now given law enforcement and the criminal justice system a greater ability to hold violators accountable,” Fields said.

Oklahoma Prevention Policy Alliance promotes policy and environmental changes that facilitates the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among Oklahomans.