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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	January 22, 2019 12:34 PM
From:	Senator Vincent J. Hughes
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Mandatory Community Service for Convictions Relating to Underage Drinking

In the near future I will be reintroducing Senate Bill 120 from last session. This legislation amends the Crimes Code to require mandatory community service for offenses related to underage drinking. Under the proposal, in addition to any fines or penalties imposed by a court, an individual convicted would also be sentenced to not more than 40 hours community service for a first offense and not more than 100 hours of community service for a second or subsequent offense for a conviction of any of the following: 18 Pa.C.S. §6307 (relating to misrepresentation of age to secure liquor or malt or brewed beverages); 18 Pa.C.S. § 6308 (relating to purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages); or, 18 Pa.C.S. § 6310.3 (relating to carrying a false identification card). Adding a mandatory community service requirement to these crimes will supplement recent changes to underage drinking laws enacted through Act 205 of 2012, which increased maximum fines for underage drinking. I believe requiring an individual to commit their time, in addition to paying whatever fine is imposed by a court, will act as an additional deterrent for individuals who engage in this conduct. Similar language exists in 18 Pa.C.S. §6305(b)(3) (relating to purchase of tobacco products by minors). Previous cosponsors were Brewster, Costa and Schwank. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. If you have any questions, please contact my Chief Counsel, Michael Deery, at Michael.Deery@pasenate.com or at 717-787-7112.

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