Ohio Bill Aims to Hold Parents Accountable for Enabling Underage Drinking

Ohio legislators are working to make it easier to prosecute adults who enable underage drinking. House Bill 19, sponsored by Reps. Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township), propose a crucial change to the Ohio Revised Code by replacing the word “knowingly” with “recklessly.”

This shift would lower the legal threshold, making it easier to hold adults accountable if they disregard the risk of minors consuming alcohol on their property.

Williams explained that under current law, prosecutors must prove an adult knew underage drinking was happening. The bill would allow prosecution if an adult recklessly ignored the likelihood of underage alcohol consumption.

Rep. Bird introduced the bill after hearing from a concerned mother about parents facilitating drinking parties, sometimes leading to serious consequences like sexual assault.