The Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS), a project by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, announces its latest update of state-by-state alcohol policies.

APIS is an online resource that provides detailed information on selected alcohol-related policies across the United States. The January 1, 2007 update, which covers the period 1/2/2006 through 1/1/2007, includes all 36 of the APIS "policy topics."

In all, the update highlights over 40 changes in state alcohol policy statutes and regulations. Among the most prominent of these changes were:

• Connecticut, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island have adopted laws to impose criminal liability on those who host underage drinking parties;
• North Carolina and Wyoming have adopted keg registration laws;
• Seven changes were made to taxes of beer, wine, distilled spirits, and flavored alcohol beverages. Among the most significant:  Mississippi has repealed its 1% sales tax on beer, wine, and distilled spirits, and Maryland has repealed its county-specific volume tax on beer while retaining a statewide tax of $0.09 per gallon on beer.
• Colorado, Connecticut, and Nevada have adopted provisions that specifically prohibit  insurers from denying payment for insurance benefits for losses due to intoxication of the insured;
• Alaska has adopted a reporting requirements provision mandating that pregnant women who consume alcohol be reported to child welfare services. In contrast, South Dakota has added a provision to its reporting requirements laws to permit discretionary referral of women who consume alcohol during pregnancy to assessment or treatment services.

Many of these changes are consistent with the goal of reducing underage drinking and its consequences as well as alcohol-related death and injury in the general population.

Visit the APIS website to obtain details on these important policy developments and to review other changes in alcohol policy across the country.