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In 2006, Oklahoma voters passed "Cody's Law," named for a 16-year-old Tulas boy who died of an overdose while staying the night at a friend's home where the friend's parents were hosting a teen party. The parents, Kelli and William Henry, received a one-year deferred sentence for 11 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Cody's parents, stunned by the light sentence, are now working to pass a new law that would require harsher penalties for adults who provide drugs and/or alcohol to minors. Under the current law, adults are only held responsible if a child is injured or dies while consuming drugs or alcohol under the supervision of an adult; the new law would hold adults accountable for simply hosting a party for minors where alcohol and/or drugs are available. The new bill, Senate Bill 1146, would also require a misdemeanor for the first offense with jail time and fines; extended jail time and fines for a second offense; and an automatic felony for a third offense.

Labels: underage-drinking, liability, party

Posted By: Aspen Education Group