BILL AS INTRODUCED H.727
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1 H.727
2 Introduced by Representatives Nugent of South Burlington, Anthony of Barre
3 City, Farlice-Rubio of Barnet, Headrick of Burlington, and
4 McGill of Bridport
5 Referred to Committee on
6 Date:
7 Subject: Alcoholic beverages, cannabis, and tobacco; unlawful sale; social
8 host; civil penalties
9 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to establish civil
10 penalties for any person who furnishes to or permits the unlawful consumption
11 of alcoholic beverages, cannabis, or cannabis products by an individual under
12 21 years of age who is attending a gathering on the person’s property.
13 An act relating to social host liability for furnishing alcohol or cannabis to
14 an individual under 21
15 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
16 Sec. 1. 7 V.S.A. § 504 is added to read:
17 § 504. SOCIAL HOST; CIVIL PENALTY
18 (a) For purposes of this section:
19 (1) “Cannabis” and “cannabis product” mean “cannabis” and “cannabis
20 product” as those terms are defined in section 831 of this title.
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1 (2) “Controlled substances” means alcoholic beverages, cannabis, or
2 cannabis products.
3 (3) “Social host” means a social host as defined in section 501 of this
4 chapter.
5 (b) No person who owns or has control of any residence or premises shall
6 allow a gathering to take place or continue at the residence or premises if:
7 (1) At the gathering any individual under 21 years of age consumes
8 controlled substances.
9 (2) The person knows or reasonably should know by taking all
10 reasonable steps to prevent the unlawful consumption of controlled substances.
11 Reasonable steps include controlling access to and the use of controlled
12 substances by individuals under 21 years of age.
13 (c) No person shall suffer, permit, or host a gathering at a property or
14 premises under the person’s control where controlled substances are furnished
15 to or consumed by any attendee who is a minor.
16 (d) A person who violates this section shall be subject to civil penalties as
17 follows:
18 (1) for a first violation, $500.00;
19 (2) for a second violation, $750.00; and
20 (3) for a third or subsequent violation, $1,000.00.
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1 (e) This section shall not be construed to affect the availability of an action
2 for social host liability under section 501 of this chapter.
3 Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
4 This act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
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