A bill prohibiting minors from drinking in taverns passed out of the Assembly Committee on Urban and Local Affairs Thursday.
The ""Responsible Tavern Service"" bill would prohibit individuals under age 18 from drinking in taverns when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Current state law allows minors to drink when accompanied.
State Rep. Kim Hixson, D-Whitewater, who co-authored the bill with state Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, said he introduced the bill to prevent early alcohol dependence.
The bill passed on a 5-3 vote, with state Rep. Richard Spanbauer, R-Oshkosh, voting with Democrats and state Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer, D-Manitowoc, voting with Republican lawmakers.
""I am pleased that members of both parties on the committee saw the merits of this bill and recommended it for passage by the full Assembly,"" Hixson said in a statement.
Members of the National Youth Rights Association oppose the bill. Alex Koroknay-Palicz, director of NYRA, said it is the role of parents to decide when and where their children can drink.
""We think that the single best thing that any society can do to prevent abuses of alcohol is to get parents involved, get the family involved and get young people involved in making responsible alcohol decisions,"" Koroknay-Palicz said.
The Senate version of the bill passed out of committee earlier this month and awaits debate.
