Fingers are crossed that three times is a charm. Legislators, led by Representative Richard Bennett and Senator David Blount, will reintroduce a statewide social host bill during the upcoming legislative session. Recall that last year the bill was voted out of committee, only to die on the House floor. With the right amount of advocacy and support, it is entirely possible that this bill could make it to Governor Barbour’s desk this year.

So what exactly does the bill mean? Parents who allow underage drinking parties to take place either within their homes or on private property would be held responsible. Each event would be punishable by up to $1,000 in fines or thirty days of jail time. It is important to note that this bill is not about telling parents how they should raise their children, but rather about providing safe, healthy environments for the youth in our communities.

Many of us in prevention recognize the dangers that accompany social hosting, but what about the general public? So what can you do to help support this bill? While most of us are restricted from lobbying, we can advocate for the issue by educating our legislators, as well as the general public, about why social hosting is such a problem in our communities. Take the opportunity now to inform your local representatives about the problem and how policy change could help curb social hosting in Mississippi!
 
Actions you can take:
• Be loud!
• Be visible!
• Call your local representatives. They want to hear from you and care about what you think.
• Follow up with a hand written note. This has more of an impact than one that is typed.
• Physical presence is crucial. If you can meet with your legislator in person.
• Know who the committee members and assistants are who are tasked with reviewing the bill. Make sure they know the bill is important!
• The senior members of the legislature tend to have more clout, so make sure they are aware.

For more information, such as to find out who your legislators are, to check the status of the bill, or to learn more about the House and Senate committees, please visit http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us. You can also contact Caroline Newkirk at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.