MA+Alcohol+Regulations

Underage drinking cost the citizens of Massachusetts $1.5 billion in 2007. These costs include medical care, work loss, and pain and suffering associated with the multiple problems resulting from the use of alcohol by youth. 1 this translates to a cost of $2,440 per year for each youth in the State. Massachusetts ranks 21 st highest among the 50 states for the cost per youth of underage drinking. Excluding pain and suffering from these costs, the direct costs of underage drinking incurred through medical care and loss of work cost Massachusetts $445 million each year.
 * // Problems and Costs Associated with Underage Drinking in Massachusetts //**

Massachusetts general Laws: Purchasing Alcohol Serving Alcohol Social Host //**Posted by: Flannagh/Catherine**// HOME
 * 1) A person over 21 years of age may not buy alcohol for a person under 21 years of age, unless their relationship is that of parent and child or husband and wife, and even in those situations liquor must be bought at a package liquor store, not a restaurant or tavern. Violation of this section may result in a fine of $2,000, imprisonment up to 6 months, or both. M.G.L.c.138, #34.
 * 2) Alcohol may not be purchased or attempted to be purchased by a person under 21 years of age. A person may not lie about his/her age to purchase alcohol, present false identification, or make arrangements with someone older to buy alcohol for him / her. Violation of this section may result in a fine of $300. M.G.L.c.138, #34A
 * 3) Any person who transfers, alters, or defaces any such card, or who makes, uses, carries, sells, or distributes a false identification card, or furnishes false information in obtaining such a card, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Such persons are subject to immediate arrest. M.G.L. c. 138, #34B.
 * 1) Any person without a license to serve alcohol may not serve someone under 21 years of age, unless their relationship is that of parent and child or husband and wife. Violation of this section may result in a fine of $2000, 6 months imprisonment, or both. M.G.L.c.138, #34.
 * 2) Any person licensed to serve alcohol may not serve intoxicated persons. To do so may result in civil liability for injuries caused by the intoxicated person and/or suspension or revocation of the license. M.G.L.c.138, #69.
 * 3) It is unlawful for unlicensed persons to serve alcohol to persons underage. The only exception to this law is that parents may serve alcohol to their own child and a spouse may serve alcohol to an underage spouse. Parents may not, however, buy alcohol for their child or spouse at a bar or restaurant. M.G.L.c.138,#34, #34A.
 * 4) In any situation in which a sponsor receives a one-day liquor license, it must comply with all laws and regulations regarding the sale of alcohol, and it will be subject to any and all statutory and criminal penalties for violations of those laws and regulations. Liquor license holders must pay sales tax on all liquor sales at the event.
 * 1) Under Massachusetts law, a host of a party may be held liable for the injuries suffered by others if the host knew or should have known that a guest was drunk and nevertheless gave/permitted the guest to take an alcoholic drink and thereafter, because of the guest’s intoxication, the guest negligently caused injury to others. If the guest who causes an injury is a minor, the host who served the alcohol or permitted alcohol to be served to the minor might be held liable to others even if the minor was already intoxicated when the minor was served alcohol.