A bill that would have barred anyone under 21 from entering a bar is moving forward in the Louisiana Legislature, but with significant changes.
In its amended form, bar owners would be accountable for bad acts committed by underage patrons to whom they serve alcohol.
Speaking to a senate committee in support of Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s bill was Lauren LeBlanc, godmother of 19-year-old Madison Brooks, the LSU student who was hit by traffic and killed after a night of excessive drinking.
She asked members to pass the legislation.
“You have a priceless opportunity at your hands – thanks to Senator Mizell – to help close the loopholes making it so easy for young adults to consume alcohol,” said LeBlanc.
Brooks was with four men – three of them underage – at a Tigerland bar, where investigators say she was served at least 20 drinks. Reggie’s Bar has a reputation for serving persons under 21, and recently lost their liquor license permanently over the Brooks case. LeBlanc says it’s time for lawmakers to crack down on bar owners.
“It is not a secret that goes on behind closed doors. It is widespread, and – in my opinion – done for profit.”
Mizell’s original bill sought to bar all patrons under 21 from being served, from entering a bar at all and from working in bars. She voluntarily amended the bill to make bar owners who serve (or over-serve) minors accountable for deaths and damage done by intoxicated underage customers.
Mizell says fines for offenses would start at $5000 and go as high as $15-thousand for subsequent offenses. It would also grant survivors the right to civil action.
“The bill simply places the responsibility on the business given a license to legally serve alcohol, to do ONLY that. And provides consequences if they do it illegally.”
Under Mizell’s amended bill, persons 18 – 20 could still enter bars and even work at a bar. She says, however, bar owners are not required to permit either of those things.
“Bar have no legal requirement to let minor enter. They’re making the decision to allow that, and by doing that they’re taking on the responsibility in the process. So, it’s a choice they make.”
The bill passes the Senate Judiciary B Committee and moves to the Senate floor.
