“Social Host” Bill Passes State Senate; Leftwich Says Bill Will Help Deter Contributing to Minors

A bill that holds adults accountable for hosting teen-age social gatherings passed unanimously by a 48-0 vote today in the Oklahoma State Senate. State Senator Debbe Leftwich, author of Senate Bill 1530, said the bill targets adults overseeing the dangerous and illegal consumption of illegal substances.

“There is a disturbing trend where hosts of youth gatherings are not being held accountable for criminal violations happening in their presence,” Leftwich said. “With this bill, we are increasing the responsibility and accountability of an adult provider to an underage child in Oklahoma.”

Leftwich said persons providing the location for underage drinkers will be held accountable and issued a citation and a fine. Offenders will be given misdemeanor citations for a first and second offense and a felony citation for a third violation. Each citation comes with monetary fines and possible incarceration. A first time offender can be fined up to $500 and a second citation would be a fine up to $2,500, while a third conviction is a fine up to $5,000. First and second time offenders could be sentenced to a year in jail and third-time offenders up to five.

“Keeping children safe is critical and this bill will better equip law enforcement officials as they seek to protect minors,” Leftwich said. “Monetary fines and potential jail time will help deter people from contributing to minors.”

Leftwich said Senate Bill 1530 also makes supplying low-point beer, the favorite drink of teenage drinkers, to minors against the law. She said there are provisions in the bill for people hosting parties who have taken all reasonable steps to prevent consumption.

Similar social hosting laws have been passed at the municipal level in Oklahoma, including the communities of Edmond, Yukon, Tecumseh, McAlester, Duncan, Elgin, Moore, Laverne, Owasso, Tulsa, Ponca City, Shawnee, Mustang, Weatherford, Broken Arrow, Enid, Bixby, Midwest City, Alva, Clinton, Buffalo and Elk City

Senate Bill 1530, which was endorsed by the Governor’s Task Force on Underage Drinking and the Oklahoma Prevention Policy Alliance, now moves to the Oklahoma House of Representatives.