GARDNER! You should know more about Social Host Liability!
Did you know about 75% of students report getting access to alcohol through siblings friends and parents? This is illegal, and its just bad policy to allow underage youth to drink in your home.
In 2011 89% of Gardner High Parents reported that they would not serve alcohol to youth in their homes. GREAT NEWS GARDNER!!!!
FAQ...
Am I breaking the law if I allow my child’s underage guests to consume alcohol
in my home?
Yes. The legal drinking age in Massachusetts is 21. It is against the law to serve or
provide alcohol to underage guests or to allow them to drink alcohol in your home
or on other property you control. If you do, you may be prosecuted criminally.
The penalty is a fine of up to $2,000, imprisonment for up to a year, or both.
M.G.L. c. 138, s. 34
Can I be sued if my child or an underage guest at my home drinks alcohol and
injures someone?
Yes. You may be financially responsible if your child or underage guest injures
another person (or himself) after having consumed alcohol, if you controlled the
supply of the alcohol, made it available, or served it. Civil judgments can be for
millions of dollars.
What if my child allows underage guests to drink or possess alcohol at my
home or other property I control?
You or your child may be charged criminally. For you to be found guilty under the
Social Host Law, the Commonwealth must prove that you or your child knowingly or
intentionally supplied, gave, provided, or allowed minors to possess alcohol at your
home or other property you controlled. You or your child may also be sued civilly.
Does the Social Host Law apply if I rent a hotel room for my daughter’s party?
Yes, since you control the hotel room, the Social Host Law applies. M.G.L. c. 138, s. 34
Will my homeowner’s policy cover the costs of litigation and any judgment
against me or my child?
You may or may not be covered, especially if the underage drinker causes injury
or death by use of an automobile. Many insurance policies do not cover situations
where criminal conduct is involved.
No comments:
Post a Comment