New Law Addresses Underage Public Drunkenness

Senator Jake Corman wrote in his Nov 14, 2012 e-newsletter: “I am very pleased that the Governor signed into law a bill I sponsored which aims to reduce alcohol offenses and the significant impact they have on boroughs like State College.

     Senate Bill 941 (Act 205 of 2012) increases the maximum fine for public drunkenness and underage drinking to $1,000 on second and subsequent offenses.

     This will hopefully provide a deterrent so that the individuals who are arrested for alcohol-related offenses will make better decisions the next time around. Additionally, if higher fines are chosen, the municipality and tax payers will see relief in the cost they bear, this time paid by the actual violator, rather than through increased property taxes.

     Currently, the maximum fine limit for underage drinking violations is $500 on second and subsequent offenses, and $300 for all offenses of public drunkenness. The $300 fine for public drunkenness has not been changed since 1972. If adjusted for inflation, the fine would be $1,650.

     No one enjoys raising fines, but municipalities are continuously facing the rising costs of alcohol related crimes, and those costs are borne by someone – in this case, the taxpayer. Fine increases have shown a real impact in other university communities across the country. Hopefully, this legislation will be able to reduce the costs to taxpayers by preventing the alcohol violations from continuously happening.”

PA Senate Bill 448 - Amendment of Title 18 of the Crimes and Offenses statutes This bill will provide that "A person shall be immune from prosecution for consumption when seeking medical attention for another. SIGNED by Governor Corbett on July 7, 2011. 

PA Senate Bill 1006- Amendment of Public Law 233, No.64 "The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act" This legislation further provides for Schedule I controlled substances and bans the ingredients of "Bath Salts," "Synthetic Marijuana," and other "Designer Drugs." SIGNED by Governor Corbett on June 23, 2011.  

PA House Bill 1651- Pharmaceutical Accountability Monitoring System. This bill advocates for a prescription drug database in Pennsylvania; this legislation was referred to the Committee on Human Service on 8/6/11. (Note: Currently, PA is one of only four States without such a database. Last year, more people die in PA from prescription drug overdoses than from auto accidents.) (posted 6/21/11) 

See also PA Auditor General - special report - Tobacco Settlement.pdf (posted March, 2011)

PA Senate Bill 1003 "Medical Marijuana" was introduced on April 25, 2011

     Related to PA Senate Bill 1003, see Cumberland-Perry Drug and Alcohol Commission's position paper on Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes (October 4, 2010) CPDAC Position Paper: Medical Marijuana.pdf

     "Several States Take Another Look at Medical Marijuana Laws" by Join Together May 4, 2011) - Warning letters from the federal government have prompted several states to reevaluate their laws another-look-at-medical-marijuana-laws

Preventing Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Privatization of Retail Alcohol Sales - a summary of Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommendations thecommunityguide.org/alcohol/privatization.html  Note: The Community Guide is a service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention