During
the 2014 Iowa legislative session, through the efforts of numerous community
members, prevention coalitions and Iowa legislators, the statewide social host
law was sent to Governor Terry Branstad, who signed it into law. This means
that when an adult knows youth17
years old or younger are drinking in their homes, buildings or on the property the
adult owns, leasesor rents – and the
adult does nothing to stop it – they can be charged with a simple
misdemeanor and fined $200. The social host law does not apply to
landlords/managers of such property or juveniles who lawfully handle alcohol in
their employment, or their managers.
In
the 2018 Iowa Youth Survey youth said obtaining alcohol at parties was the most
common way for Van Buren County youth to obtain alcohol. Some local community
activists have been promoting social host ordinances at the county and city
level for a number of years to address this condition.
Preventing
youth from experiencing the personal heartache that is a consequence of
underage drinking – in the form of accidents, sexual assaults, violence,
unplanned pregnancy or alcohol poisoning – will always be a worthwhile
endeavor. The social host law is one more tool to reduce youth access to
alcohol.
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