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A bill that was championed by a mother who lost her son to a drunk driving crash in 2006 was defeated Wednesday in the Senate State Affairs committee.
Joyce Glynn’s 18-year-old son was one of 13 teens killed in alcohol-related crashes in 2006, and this year she was behind ‘social host’ legislation making it illegal for parents to allow teenagers to drink on their property.
The bill was defeated by a 5-4 vote during its first hearing Wednesday morning. Republican Senator Corey Brown of Gettysburg opposed the bill saying that he doesn’t think the legislation "would have changed" anything the night Glynn’s son died.
“I don’t see the proposal having a deterrent effect,” Brown said.
The chairman of the committee, Republican Senator Larry Rhoden of Union Center, also spoke out against the bill saying current law allows parents to face the misdemeanor charge of maintaining a place where beverage laws are violated.
“I question whether this will be effective,” Rhoden said.
Senator Dan Lederman, Senator Tim Rave, and Senator Russell Olson joined Rhoden and Brown in opposing the bill.
Democratic Senator Larry Lucas of Mission was the prime sponsor of the bill and said it was needed to send a message to parents that hosting parties is against the law.
Lucas says he is looking to keep the concept alive by introducing another bill.
Senator Jason Frerichs, Senator Mark Johnston and Senator Craig Tieszen all voted in favor of the legislation.
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