N.J. Puts Safety 1st for Underage Drinkers
Law gives immunity for teen drinkers who seek help
Friday, Oct 2, 2009 | Updated 4:29 PM EST
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Drunk teens no longer need to fear the law in N.J. if they take responsibility for a friend who drank too much.
Underage drinkers in New Jersey don’t have to fear the law when they seek medical help for a friend who drank too much.
Gov. Jon Corzine signed a measure Thursday that puts safety above the law when it comes to underage drinking in New Jersey.
The new legislation grants immunity anyone under 21 who was drinking if they call police when another teen drinks too much alcohol and needs medical help. Police would not be able to prosecute either the person who called or the one sickened by alcohol.
The immunity can extend up to three people, provided they act in concert, give their names to law enforcement, remain at the scene until medical help arrives and were the first to report the incident.
It can’t be retroactively applied.
The Senate and Assembly approved the measure back in July. It will help save lives, since teens would not be scared to call for help, said proponents.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC 10 Philadelphia
Posted Friday, Oct 2, 2009 - 4:04 PM EST
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