House Republican Press Release

April 18, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Scribner Votes for Underage Drinking Bill

Measure Passes House of Representatives; Heads to Senate

HARTFORD- The state House of Representatives today passed legislation that prohibits individuals from allowing minors to possess alcohol on private property and prohibits minors from possessing alcohol on private property.  State Representative David Scribner (R-Brookfield) hailed the passage today the landmark legislation. Scribner was nearly successful during the last two legislative sessions in seeing this legislation, often referred to as the “social hosting” bill, reach the floor of the House.

“This is a significant bill because it fights underage drinking right in the place it most commonly takes place: the private residence,” said Scribner.  “Those parents, adults or individuals in positions of responsibility need to be aware that condoning or facilitating underage drinking, or making no reasonable efforts to prevent it need to know that they will be held accountable and face possible incarceration for their actions.”

With underage drinking becoming an increasing problem both statewide and nationwide, and Connecticut youths beginning to drink alcohol as early as age 11, far earlier than the national average, over thirty Connecticut towns will join thousands across the United States in holding Town Hall Meetings to discuss and raise awareness on the issue of underage drinking. 

Representative Scribner, who was chosen by Governor Rell to lead a team of state agency officials to a national planning meeting on the subject of underage drinking in Washington, D.C. last November, has been a leading advocate against underage drinking, and has been assisting in coordinating Connecticut’s participation in the national forum.  Scribner recently addressed the regional area Town Hall Meeting concerning underage drinking this evening at Western Connecticut State University at Warner Hall. 

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), children who begin drinking alcohol before age 15 are five times more likely to develop alcohol problems as adults than those who start after age 21. National research also shows that a higher percentage of youth aged 12-to-20 use alcohol than tobacco or illicit drugs, making underage drinking a leading public health problem in the United States. In response, the U.S. Surgeon General has declared a first-ever “Call to Action” on this issue.