A bill that would have barred ANYONE under 21 from entering a bar moves forward, but with significant changes. In its current form, bar owners would be accountable for bad acts committed by underage patrons to whom they serve alcohol. Speaking to a senate committee in support of Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s bill was Lauren LeBlanc, godmother of 19-year-old Madison Brooks, the LSU student who was hit by traffic and killed after a night of excessive drinking. She asks members to pass the legislation…:
“You have a priceless opportunity at your hands – thanks to Senator Mizell – to help close the loopholes making it so easy for young adults to consume alcohol,” says LeBlanc.
Brooks was with four men – three of them underage – at a Tigerland bar, where investigators say she was served at least 20 drinks. Reggie’s Bar has a reputation for serving persons under 21, and recently lost their liquor license permanently over the Brooks case. Ms. LeBlanc says it’s time for lawmakers to crack down on bar owners…:
“It is not a secret that goes on behind closed doors. It is widespread, and – in my opinion – done for profit.”
Mizell’s original bill sought to bar ANYONE under 21 from being served, from entering a bar at all and from working in bars. She voluntarily amended the bill to make bar owners who serve (or over-serve) minors accountable for deaths and damage done by intoxicated underage customers. Mizell says fines for offenses would start at $5000 and go as high as $15-thousand for subsequent offenses. It would also grant survivors the right to civil action…:
“The bill simply places the responsibility on the business given a license to legally serve alcohol, to do ONLY that. And provides consequences if they do it illegally.”
Under Mizell’s amended bill, persons 18 – 20 could still enter bars and even work at a bar. She says, however, bar owners are not required to permit either of those things…:
“Bar have no legal requirement to let minor enter. They’re making the decision to allow that, and by doing that they’re taking on the responsibility in the process. So, it’s a choice they make.”
The bill passes the Senate Judiciary B Committee and moves to the Senate floor.
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