HARRISBURG —
The sponsor of a new Pennsylvania law increasing maximum fines for underage drinking said Monday that he plans to seek an additional financial penalty in the legislative session that starts next month.
The new law will boost the maximum fine for underage drinking from $300 to $500 and double the maximum for subsequent offenses to $1,000.
Even with those provisions taking effect Dec. 24, Sen. Jake Corman said he will resubmit a bill that would allow municipalities that include all or part of a university or college to impose an additional $100 fee for alcohol-related offenses to help finance local prevention programs. That bill died at the end of the last legislative session.
“Any time you talk about raising fees, people get nervous,” the Centre County lawmaker said when asked why the fee failed to gain support.
Corman says the higher fines going into effect later this month are designed to help communities such as State College, home to Penn State University, afford the spiraling cost of prosecuting alcohol-related crime and to discourage underage drinking.
Craig Summers, chief of police in Kutztown, said the maximum should be $1,000 even for a first offense.
“I don’t think when underage people are drinking that they’re even thinking about” the fine, Summers told The Morning Call in Allentown.
Latest News
Lawmaker seeks higher fine for underage drinking
- Latest News
-
-
Hitting the road: More holiday drivers expected this year
The long Memorial Day weekend looms like a shining star, and adding to the lure of hitting the highway are moderate temperatures, no forecast for rain and the price of gasoline, which is down significantly from last year.
-
Tie race hinged on missed chance
One vote might stop Jeffory McKenzie from becoming a Summit Township supervisor – his own.
-
Inmate charged in attack
A courtroom attack on a Cambria County defense attorney by a death-row inmate has resulted in a number of criminal charges.
-
Medical center scores big with Lemieux family
Pittsburgh hockey legend Mario Lemieux and his wife, Nathalie, provide the driving force behind a new children’s play area coming to Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown.
-
Cambria leaders laud ‘role model’
The Cambria County commissioners held an evening meeting Thursday at Northern Cambria High School. Aside from cleaning the simple administrative tedium from their plates, they gave special recognition to a man who helped draw in close to $750,000 for the county – all through helping convicts in the adult probation program.
-
Last barrier falls to Route 219 construction
As hoped, the state Department of Environmental Protection came through Thursday with what is described as the final approval needed to allow PennDOT to advertise for bids on the Somerset-to-Meyersdale leg of Route 219.
-
Police allege adults gave booze to minors
Seven adults were charged Thursday with providing alcohol to minors at a drinking party last year in Mineral Point.
-
2 Meyersdale women charged in meth probe
A methamphetamine dump found last week near Meyersdale has led state police to two women they accuse of helping to supply ingredients to the meth-makers.
-
Man waives hearing on 2nd home break-in
A Portage man who police said tried to break into a woman’s home but fled after she confronted him will answer criminal charges in Cambria County court.
- Local briefs 5/24/2013
- More Latest News Headlines
-
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
