Parents face stiffer punishment for underage drinking

Last Update: 7/01 6:23 pm

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WICHITA, Kansas – Parents will want to pay close attention to a new law taking effect Wednesday – if they give their kids alcohol or know that they’ve been drinking, they may face stiffer charges.

Underage drinking for some families is allowed because parents feel it’s safer to watch their kids at home than let them do it unmonitored elsewhere. But a new Kansas law puts pressure on parents to take more responsibility.

“To us what that does is it gives us a little more latitude in charging,” said Capt. George Mason with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department.

The issue may be a bigger problem that most people think.

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office did a study on the issue in 2007. It found that 31 percent of Kansans under the age of 20 had already consumed alcohol and 65 percent of those got the alcohol from either a family member or friend.

Before, the rules were vague. Now, a parent could face stiff penalties if they “recklessly” allow minors to consume alcohol at home or on their property.

"They can receive a fine up to $1,000, they can do community service as in probation, not to mention that there are civil litigations that can go on,” Capt. Mason said.

Parents who spoke to KSN like the change; although some feel education about alcohol use needs to go beyond the law.

"Parents still retain the responsibilities for the minor, so they shouldn't be giving them the alcohol,” said Derby resident Brian Winzenried. “But they also have to make sure that they are raised right so that they make the right choices in the first place."

The law applies even if the parents aren’t home at the time. As long as they know about the alcohol, that’s enough to face charges.

Do you think parents should be punished when their underage children are caught? Take our viewer poll on the KSN.com home page.

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