Adults are now liable
for underage drinkersElders must see that
youngsters don't sneak
drinks and cause harm
Adults can be held liable if underage drinkers sneak alcohol during parties or other functions and cause damage or injury, under a bill signed into law yesterday by Gov. Lingle.
During a signing ceremony at a waterfront memorial for victims of drunken driving accidents, state officials and representatives from the Hawaii chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving applauded the new laws, saying they come at an important time -- the end of the school year when many new graduates are likely to celebrate with alcohol.
"We hope that parents and other adults who may be planning celebrations will listen carefully to the provisions," said Carol McNamee, founder of MADD-Hawaii and vice president of public policy for the organization's national board. "Thank you governor and thank you to our Legislature for sending a powerful wake-up call to the adult citizens of Hawaii.
"It is time to stop underage drinking and help our youth live safe and productive lives."
Speakers also noted that the enactment of the "social host liability" law -- which takes effect immediately -- comes just ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, which traditionally is one of the deadliest times of the year nationwide in terms of alcohol-related road deaths.
The social host law establishes civil penalties of up to one year in jail, fines of up to $1,000, or both, for adults who furnish alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21. The law also applies to adults who knowingly provided liquor to minors or those who reasonably could have prohibited or prevented such alcohol consumption.
Other bills signed by the governor make it a felony to be convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs three times during a 10-year span and allow police officers to conduct breath, blood or urine tests on anyone involved in a car accident, including those who are uninjured or refuse medical treatment.
"While I feel glad about signing these laws and we hope that they will protect residents in the future, we know that they can't erase the pain that's felt by the family whose loved ones have been killed by drunk driving," Lingle said. "We hope we can prevent other families from suffering the way so many have already."
Lingle also signed a bill that imposes stricter penalties for those convicted of drug dealing in public parks, making it a class C felony.