House Republican Press Release

April 18, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Klarides Votes for Underage Drinking Bill

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 Themis Klarides (R-114) hailed the passage today the landmark legislation which she has worked on for a number of years, and helped shepherd out of the Judiciary Committee earlier last month.

Representative Klarides 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 year, now that the House has approved the measure, she is confident the bill will make it through the Senate and earn the Governor’s signature.

“This bill is critical in holding parents and adults accountable for underage drinking,” said Klarides. “It sends a message that it isn’t alright for minors to drink so long as it is done at home. Those who sponsor functions in their homes or on their property where minors are allowed to drink will now know that if they do this, they will face serious consequences.”

Representative Klarides has spent a number of years combating underage drinking, helping many Connecticut communities such as Woodbridge, Seymour, Cheshire, Orange, Glastonbury, Ellington and Newington outlaw social hosting by local ordinance. She serves on the Executive Board of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and received their GLADD Award (Government Leaders Against Drunk Driving) several years running for her efforts in passing legislation aimed at tightening restrictions against drunk driving offenders. She was also honored by the CT Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking for her efforts to fight social hosting.

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.

The bill, HB 5211, An Act Concerning Underage Drinking will head to the state Senate for action there. The 2006 session of the Connecticut General Assembly adjourns on May 3^rd.