As the law stands, a 10-year-old Dubuquer thirsting for his first taste of beer in a tavern only has to cross the river into Wisconsin and belly up to the bar alongside a parent.
In Wisconsin taverns, anyone younger than 21 can legally drink alcohol as long as there is a parent, guardian or spouse (who has reached the legal drinking age) on the premises. Not so in Iowa and Illinois, where it's called supplying alcohol to a minor, and is a misdemeanor offense.
Two Wisconsin lawmakers, Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, and Rep. Kim Hixson, D-Whitewater, want to change the state law with Senate Bill 30 and Assembly Bill 106 (the "Responsible Tavern Admittance Bill"). Youths would have to be at least 18 under the two bills to legally qualify for the exception to the state's legal drinking age, which is 21.
"It was kind of interesting to find out that Wisconsin is leading the nation in binge drinking," Robson said. "It also sends a very confusing message to children. You can't drink until you're 21, but, 'Oh, I can go with my parents and drink
the facts |
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Wisconsin recorded: * The highest rates of alcohol consumption, binge drinking and heavy drinking among all U.S. states and territories in 2006. * The highest alcohol use in the country (49 percent) among high school students in 2007. * Three times the national arrest rate for liquor law violations from 1997 to 2006. * $935 million in statewide costs in 2007 for alcohol-related accidents and medical conditions. * An increase of 2 percent in the number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities from 2006 to 2007. The impact * People who drink before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence and are 2 1/2 times more likely to become abusers of alcohol than those who begin drinking at age 21. * Alcohol use by children and teens affects brain development. * AWARE (All-Wisconsin Alcohol Risk Education), a University of Wisconsin coalition to improve the health and safety of residents in the fight against alcohol abuse. Source: Wisconsin State Rep. Kim Hixson, D-Whitewater |
Does it happen a lot? Robson acknowledged it might not be all that common for minors to drink in taverns with their parents in Wisconsin. "But the fact that we permit it, that we have a law that says it is OK, sends the wrong message," she said. "We should be working to discourage underage drinking."
Robson cited a recent television report where a 21-year-old, who looked 14 and was accompanied by an individual identified as a parent, was served in three out of four Milwaukee taverns.
According to the state Legislative Reference Bureau, underage people in Wisconsin have had the right to drink beer with their parent, guardian or spouse since 1933. They have had the right to drink all alcoholic beverages with their parent, guardian or spouse since 1971.
However, a business owner has the right to refuse to serve a person who does not appear to be 21, whether accompanied by an adult or not, according to Dan "Hedly" Bowden, of Doolittle's Pub & Eatery in Lancaster and president of the Grant-Iowa County Tavern League. Bowden thinks the legislation will pass.
"It's kind of hard to defend somebody bringing their 10-year-old in and wanting them to be served," he said. "I don't want to be serving someone 10 or 14. And it is up to the discretion of the bar."
Platteville Police Chief Doug McKinley said a number of Platteville taverns "exercise pretty good judgment and refuse to serve the kids."
McKinley wants to go further. He would like the law to prohibit individuals 18 to 20 to drink in a tavern, period.
"That's a loophole and it's about time they try to close it," he said. "This is a start however, and if it passes it will be a real positive thing to bring about change."
Robson acknowledges there is support for boosting the age to 21 for consistency. She adds, however, there are circumstances where a parent might be accompanying a 19- or 20-year-old coming back from Iraq or Afghanistan.
"I think the legislation the way it is has a better chance of survival," Robson said. "The tavern league is supporting it. They don't want to be promoting underage drinking."
Robson thinks the legislation has a very good chance of passing and that Gov. Jim Doyle will support it.
"I think there were legislators who didn't realize you could drink that young with a parent," she said. "There was a lot of eye opening. It's not solving all of the state's problems, but it's a start."
The Senate Committee on Children and Families and Workforce Development is expected to vote on the bill on Sept. 9. A public hearing by the Assembly Urban and Local Affairs Committee for the Assembly companion bill was held on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
The upcoming legislature floor periods are Sept. 15-24 and Oct. 20-Nov. 5. Bills are sent to the governor on
Dec. 10.
