LA: Louisiana Lawmaker Suggests Looser Drinking Laws
By Justin Kendall
March 27, 2018
Louisiana Sen. Eric LaFleur has offered the “Louisiana Responsible Adult Consumption Act” — Senate Bill 429 — which would allow 19- and 20-year-olds to buy and drink alcoholic beverages as long as they’ve obtained a certificate, the Daily Advertiser reported.
“If you drink at a house party, you tend to be less responsible,” LaFleur told the outlet. “It’s easier to get an opioid or a bag of weed than it is to get freaking alcohol. It’s crazy.”
In an interview with the outlet, LaFleur said he hoped the bill would encourage younger drinkers to consume responsibly in public spaces rather than in private places such as house parties. He believes public consumption offers additional safeguards along with social pressure to be responsible.
LaFleur’s proposal would require younger drinkers to receive a certificate called the Louisiana Alcohol Consumption Certificate by taking an educational course similar to a server’s class. Parental consent would also be required.
After the bill was introduced on March 12, it was referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Louisiana’s legal drinking age was raised from 18 to 21 in 1986 in order to avoid losing federal highway funding.