HB 5847 Summary

• Amends sections 701 and 703 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (1998 PA 58) regarding underage alcohol violations and enforcement procedures.

• Modifies penalties for selling or furnishing alcohol to minors, including clarifying when retail licensees can be charged and establishing specific conditions for enforcement actions by state police and local agencies.

• Changes minor violations from criminal penalties to civil infractions for first offenses (fines up to $100), with misdemeanor penalties for subsequent violations (up to $200-$500 depending on prior judgments).

• Establishes requirements for undercover operations involving minors, including parental consent for minors under 18, prohibition on recruitment at violation scenes, and conditions for when law enforcement actions must occur against multiple parties.

• Adds affirmative defenses and exceptions for minors including those seeking medical help, participating in religious services, attending accredited educational courses, and those with bodily alcohol content from legal consumption in other jurisdictions.

• Takes effect October 1, 2021, contingent on House Bill 5846 also being enacted into law.