1998 Summary of Legislation Published by the Iowa General Assembly -- Legislative Service Bureau

ALCOHOL REGULATION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

ALCOHOL REGULATION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE LEGISLATION

HOUSE FILE 2487 - Alcohol Sales to Minors -- Fines and Penalties (full text of act)

BY COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY. This Act makes changes in the fines and other penalties that must be paid for sale of alcohol to minors.

Currently, the criminal offense is a serious misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $1,500, which may be imputed to a licensee or permittee if the offense is committed by an employee of the licensee or permittee. The Act changes the criminal penalty to a simple misdemeanor which, until December 31, 1998, is punishable by a scheduled fine of $100. Language that currently imputes liability to the licensee or permittee because of the actions of the licensee's or permittee's employees is removed under the Act. Effective January 1, 1999, the scheduled fine amount is raised to $1,500 for licensees and permittees and $500 for persons who are employed by a licensee or permittee.

The Act also changes the civil penalties applicable to sales of alcohol to minors. The civil penalty applicable to first convictions is increased from $300 to $500. The civil penalty applicable to second and third convictions is $1,500.

A reference change is made in the "open container" Code provisions to accommodate the addition of the scheduled fine to the scheduled violation provisions.

RELATED LEGISLATION

SENATE FILE 2280 -- Appropriations -- Health and Human Rights (Complete summary under APPROPRIATIONS.)

This Act provides for appropriations to the Department for the Blind, the Iowa State Civil Rights Commission, the Department of Elder Affairs, the Governor's Alliance on Substance Abuse, the Iowa Department of Public Health, the Department of Human Rights, and the Commission of Veterans Affairs. The Act directs new funding to address methamphetamine abuse and redirects gambling treatment funding to various other programs.

SENATE FILE 2391 -- Drug and Alcohol Offenses -- Penalties and Miscellaneous Provisions (Complete summary under CRIMINAL LAW, PROCEDURE & CORRECTIONS.)

This Act amends certain OWI provisions, and penalties, sentencing and bail provisions for certain controlled substance violations. The Act also amends previously passed drug-testing legislation.

SENATE FILE 2406 -- Iowa Empowerment Board, Community Empowerment Areas, and Community Empowerment Area Boards (Complete summary under LOCAL GOVERNMENT.)

This Act creates the Iowa Empowerment Board and authorizes local communities to create community empowerment areas and community empowerment area boards. The Act establishes a School Ready Children Grant Program for collaborative planning and funding of early childhood programs, including assessment services to identify chemically exposed infants and children.

SENATE FILE 2410 -- Human Services Appropriations and Related Provisions (Complete summary under APPROPRIATIONS.)

This Act makes appropriations to the Department of Human Services and includes various provisions affecting substance abuse services, including authorization for a dual diagnosis mental illness/substance abuse program at Mount Pleasant MHI and managed care for substance abuse service coverage under Medicaid.

HOUSE FILE 2218 -- Federal Block Grant Appropriations (Complete summary under APPROPRIATIONS.)

This Act appropriates federal block grant and other nonstate moneys to various state agencies for the federal fiscal year beginning October 1, 1998, and ending September 30, 1999, and for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 1998, and ending June 30, 1999. The Act includes funding for various substance abuse programs.

HOUSE FILE 2348 -- Department of Human Services Institutions and Services -- Miscellaneous Provisions (Complete summary under HUMAN SERVICES.)

This Act relates to institutions and facilities administered by the Department of Human Services. The Act directs the Iowa Department of Public Health to work with various state agencies and county representatives in reviewing methamphetamine use in the state and the existing and potential options and costs for intervention and treatment.

HOUSE FILE 2558 -- Mental Health, Developmental Disability, and Substance Abuse Service, Commitment, and Payment (Complete summary under HUMAN SERVICES.)

This Act affects various provisions involving mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse treatment. The Act includes provisions for simultaneous filing of applications for substance abuse and serious mental impairment civil commitment. In addition, the time period for appeal of a judicial hospitalization referee's finding is extended from seven to 10 days.

© 1998 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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Last update: THU July 30 1998
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