SB 919 — AN ACT CONCERNING IMMUNITY FROM CRIMINAL PROSECUTION FOR A MINOR WHO POSSESSES ALCOHOL WHEN THE MINOR SEEKS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT THE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY OF ANOTHER PERSON.

Senate GeneralBill Assembly File No.

487919 JanuaryPublic Session,Act 2021 Senate Bill No.

91921-142 Senate,AN AprilACT 15,CONCERNING 2021IMMUNITY TheFROM CommitteeCRIMINAL onPROSECUTION JudiciaryFOR reportedthroughA SEN.MINOR WHO POSSESSES ALCOHOL WHEN THE MINOR SEEKS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT THE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY OF ANOTHER PERSON.

WINFIELD of the 10th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING IMMUNITY FROM CRIMINAL PROSECUTION FOR A MINOR WHO POSSESSES ALCOHOL WHEN THE MINOR SEEKS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT THE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY OF ANOTHER PERSON.

SB919(c) /The Fileprovisions of subsection (b) of this section shall not apply to (1) a person over age eighteen who is an employee or permit holder under section 30-90a and who possesses alcoholic liquor in the course of Senate Bill No.

487919 1such SB919person's Fileemployment No.or business, (2) a minor who possesses alcoholic liquor on the order of a practicing physician, or (3) a minor who possesses alcoholic liquor while accompanied by a parent, guardian or spouse of the minor, who has attained the age of twenty- one.

487 (c) The provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall not apply to (1) a person over age eighteen who is an employee or permit holder under section 30-90a and who possesses alcoholic liquor in the course of such person's employment or business, (2) a minor who possesses alcoholic liquor on the order of a practicing physician, or (3) a minor who possesses alcoholic liquor while accompanied by a parent, guardian or spouse of the minor, who has attained the age of twenty- one.

SB919Approved /July File7, 2021 Public Act No.

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487 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

Section 1 October 1, 2021 30-89 JUD Joint Favorable SB919 / File No.

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487 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.

In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.

Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:

Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 22 $ FY 23 $ Resources of the General Fund GF - Potential See Below See Below Revenue Loss Note:

GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill prohibits minors from being charged with possessing alcohol when they make a 9-1-1 call to prevent the death or serious injury of another person.

To the extent that these minors are currently being charged, the bill results in potential revenue loss from the fine.

The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to violations.

SB919 / File No.

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487 OLR Bill Analysis SB 919 AN ACT CONCERNING IMMUNITY FROM CRIMINAL PROSECUTION FOR A MINOR WHO POSSESSES ALCOHOL WHEN THE MINOR SEEKS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT THE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY OF ANOTHER PERSON.

SUMMARY This bill gives minors (i.e., under age 21) immunity from criminal prosecution for possessing alcohol when they call 9-1-1 to prevent another person’s death or serious injury.

By law, a first violation for possession of alcohol as a minor is an infraction, and a second violation is punishable by a fine of $200 to $500.

Convicted minors also face driver’s license sanctions (e.g., a 60-day suspension if the minor possessed alcohol in public) (CGS § 14-111e).

Under the bill, in order for the immunity to apply, a law enforcement officer must first become aware of a minor’s illegal possession of alcoholic liquor (e.g., spirit, wine, or beer) after the minor made a 9-1-1 call to a law enforcement agency requesting emergency medical assistance.

The minor must have called based on his or her reasonable belief that another individual needed immediate medical assistance to prevent death or serious bodily injury.

Additionally, the bill requires the minor placing the call to (1) be the first person to make the call requesting immediate medical assistance and (2) provide his or her full name and any other relevant information the law enforcement agency requests during the call.

Finally, the minor must remain at the scene with the individual needing immediate medical assistance until law enforcement and emergency medical personnel arrives, and fully cooperate with them at the scene.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

October 1, 2021 SB919 / File No.

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487 COMMITTEE ACTION Judiciary Committee Joint Favorable Yea 36 Nay 1 (03/29/2021) SB919 / File No.

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