El Paso City Council Passes Ordinance To Fine Property Owners Who Allow Underage Drinking

Much of the time, adults feel like it is safer to have minors drinking at home instead of going out and drinking, but statistics say that is not the case. That’s why El Paso City Council has been spending the better part of this year looking at ways to prevent underage drinking.

Yesterday, Council passed a new ordinance that goes after adults who help minors drink. They’re going after not only the people who buy alcohol for underage drinkers, but people who own property where underage drinking happens.

The so-called ‘social host ordinance’ will allow police to fine someone if they buy alcohol for a minor, allows underage drinking to happen to on their property whether the property owner is there or not, and also allows a fine for a person who pays a rental fee on a venue where minors are found drinking.

Fines range up to one thousand dollars.

The ordinance will take effect in six months.