This ordinance, or law, holds a person(s) responsible for “knowingly” providing a place for an underage drinking party. A Social Host Ordinance may include a criminal or civil fine that can be applied on top of other violations. Other violations may include a providing alcohol to minors citation or operating while intoxicated violation.

You as a community member can help pass this ordinance. By doing so, youth will be better protected from underage drinking. Join with other community members and coalitions to talk about this effort. Meet with law enforcement and local elected officials to talk about and plan how this ordinance will benefit the city or county.
Passing a Social Host Ordinance is a process, and the ordinance may look slightly different in each city or county. The question that needs to be asked is, “How do we want this ordinance to look in our city/county?” Contact Katie Bee at kbee@helpingservices.org to get your free sample ordinance.
Once law enforcement and elected officials agree that a Social Host Ordinance is to be considered, the elected officials contact their county or city attorney to draft the ordinance. The elected body then sets the dates for discussion and public input before voting.
Local coalition members and the general public can encourage the elected officials to pass this ordinance. You can also be present at public meetings that address this topic. It is important to be actively involved, provide accurate information and concerns and express your desire to have this ordinance passed.

Aside from it being illegal for anyone under 21 to drink, there is more to consider. Developmentally, youth who use alcohol on a regular basis hinder their brain development, compromise their athletic ability and could cloud their ability to make safe and healthy decisions.

Underage drinking can be linked to many unfortunate events that happen to our youth: poor grades, loss of friends, drunken driving accidents, violence, and sexual assault just to name a few. This law is a way for parents, teachers, coaches and communities to say enough to adults who support underage drinking by providing the space to do so. A Social Host Ordinance is another legal tool that holds people accountable in order to prevent underage drinking and these sometimes tragic outcomes.
Another benefit of this ordinance is the money generated from either a civil or criminal fine. Funding from this ordinance can be used in various ways as decided by the city or county. Some counties use the funds for further prevention efforts and campaigns in their area. Money from fines has also supported local and county law enforcement with new equipment that helps decrease underage drinking.

At this time, in Iowa, 15 counties and 12 cities have passed Social Host Ordinances. Other counties and cities are in the process of considering a Social Host Ordinance. In the US, 18 states have passed Social Host Ordinances. These include the neighboring states of Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri.
If enough individual counties pass Social Host Ordinances, this could become a state-wide law.

Social Host Ordinances have been effective to decrease underage drinking. Now is the time to say: “We as a community, will no longer tolerate adults and/or parents providing a place for underage drinking.”

• Start by talking to your friends, neighbors, kids, law enforcement, county and city attorney, county supervisors, mayor and city council, and other concerned citizens about the underage drinking and the benefits of a Social Host Ordinance.
• Join a local substance abuse prevention coalition that can help lead the way to the successful passing of a Social Host Ordinance.
• Support the passing of this ordinance by writing letters to the editor, or simply talk with your local elected officials about the benefits of this ordinance.