Minnesota Legislative Session
2000

Legislation To Reduce Youth Access To Alcohol

During the Minnesota 2000 Legislative session significant progress was made towards deterring adults from giving alcohol to underage persons. Adults in Minnesota who provide or sell alcohol to underage persons can now face civil liability (can be sued) for damages caused to and by that youth.

The ZAP (Zero Adult Providers) Civil Cause of Action bill (SF1722/HF2555) was passed this legislative session to further deter adults from providing alcohol to underage persons. As of August 2000, any adult over the age of 21 who provides alcohol to an underage person can be sued if the youth causes any damages to themselves, others, or to property, if the adult:

  • had control over the premises and knowingly or recklessly permited consumption of alcoholic beverages by a person under 21, or
  • sold, bartered , furnished or gave to, or purchased for a person under 21 alcoholic beverages that caused intoxication

Both the House and Senate passed this bill with strong support. This new civil cause of action compliments the Brockway Bill (HF1289) which was passed in 1999. This bill increases criminal penalties on adults who give alcohol to underage persons from a gross misdemeanor to a felony in cases where there is serious bodily harm or death to the underage person.