New Bill Aims To Crack Down On Underage Drinking
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A bill introduced to Pittsburgh City Council today aims to crack down on underage drinking.
It would mean tougher penalties for people hosting parties where people under the age of 21 are drinking alcohol.
And it has the support of the University of Pittsburgh.
City Councilman Bruce Kraus, who represents sections of the city like the South Side and South Oakland says the bill would target people who knowingly provide alcohol to kids underage.
Kraus says right now there's a state law for underage drinkers who consume alcohol and another state law for those who provide it.
This current proposal would bridge the gap between the laws and penalize a person hosting the party who knows there are people drinking at their home who are not of legal age.
Kraus says the issue is public safety, specifically for neighborhoods that are half college students and half long-time residents.
The hope is to cut down on the amount and frequency of underage drinking parties in neighborhoods where residents are upset.
"It's an up to dollar amount that they could be fined, but more importantly, it's a way to understand long term who the chronic abusers are of permitting underage consumption of alcohol on their property," said Kraus.
Pitt representatives expressed support for the bill today.
City Council had a discussion about it, but delayed a vote until the city law department can look it over.
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