A bill prohibiting minors from drinking in taverns passed through a Senate committee Wednesday.
Minors of any age are allowed to drink in taverns if accompanied by a parent or guardian under current Wisconsin law. The new legislation only permits people aged 18 and older to drink at taverns when accompanied.
The bill, co-authored by state Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, and state Rep. Kim Hixson, D-Whitewater, was motivated by a request from Edgerton Mayor Erik Thompson, who passed a resolution in support of the legislation. According to a statement, a New York Times article on Wisconsin's drinking culture provoked Thompson's concern.
Robson said teenagers are four times more likely to become-alcohol dependent than individuals who begin drinking at age 21.
""Teenage brains are still developing and can be negatively affected by alcohol,"" she said in the statement. ""We should be working to discourage underage drinking, and that is what this bill does.""
According to the statement, the Tavern League of Wisconsin, UW Health's All-Wisconsin Alcohol Risk Education group, and the Wisconsin Medical Society support the bill.
The Assembly version of the bill was reviewed in a public hearing and awaits passage in committee. The Senate version of the bill will now move on to the full Senate.
