Sen. Beth Mizell (R) District 12
Following the death of LSU student Madison Brooks after a night of underage drinking at a Tigerland bar – Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell is hoping to raise the age limit to enter bars from 18 to 21. Mizell says her proposal to be heard by lawmakers in the legislative session could help prevent tragedies by making it difficult for young people to obtain alcohol.
“You have to be 21 to drink. You can’t go into a casino under 21. So why are we allowing this and expecting nothing to happen? That’s a negative.”
The “Card’em” bill — SB 194 — requires any person attempting to enter a Class-A General retail establishment to submit certain forms of identification verifying proof of age of 21 or older. Mizell says it is time for Louisiana to prohibit anyone under 21 from entering a bar.
“It brings us into line with a lot of other states. Underage people are allowed into bars with the understanding they are not allowed to drink. And we all know that’s not the case in a lot of situations.”
The proposed bill also adds the requirement that only a person 21 and older can be employed as a bartender. Mizell expects pushback from lobbyists who represent bars and nightclubs.
“They can’t economically be benefitting because they can’t sell to under 21.”
Businesses could face penalties ranging from $50 to $15,000 and increase the cleansing period to 10 years from the first offense.
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