Bill to allow lawsuits against underage drinkers

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Underage drinkers who use fake IDs to buy alcohol would be subject to civil lawsuits under a bill passed by a state Senate committee.

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Small Business and Tourism approved Assembly Bill 61 on Tuesday, which would let bar owners and other alcohol retailers who have been duped by fake IDs sue the presenters for $1,000 in civil court. The suits could also be brought against the parents of children who are younger than 18 and have not been emancipated.

To file a suit, retailers must not have been convicted or cited for knowingly selling drinks to someone who is younger than 21. Under an amendment to the bill, they would also have to notify police of the underage violation.

At the same time, retailers would not be prohibited from someone who is facing charges of underage drinking.

The original version of the bill would also let bar owners and retailers sue to recoup reasonable attorney’s fees, but that provision was eliminated in another amendment. Assembly Bill 61 was passed by the state Assembly on May 14. To become law, it still must be passed by the Senate and signed by Gov. Scott Walker.