DES MOINES – The Iowa Senate on Monday voted 48-0 to approve a bill that would make it illegal for an adult to knowingly allow an underage drinking party to commence on their property.
The bill, SF2310, relates to the underage possession or consumption of alcohol and provides penalties.
Under the bill, a person who is the owner or lessee of, or who otherwise has control over, property that is not a licensed premises, shall not knowingly permit an under legal age person to consume or possess an alcoholic beverage on such property.
The bill provides that a person who violates this provision commits a simple misdemeanor for a first offense, punishable as a scheduled violation with a fine of $200, and a simple misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense, punishable by a $500 fine.
The bill will now go to the Republican-controlled House. It is supported by the Iowa State Sheriffs’ & Deputies’ Association, the Iowa County Attorneys Association and opposed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa.