While current Missouri law prohibits minors from buying, seeking to buy, or possessing alcohol, it doesn't make it illegal for them to be intoxicated. The proposed legislation would allow a minor to be charged with being drunk whether or not they are in possession of alcohol at the time.

The Joint Interim Committee to Study the Effects of Underage Drinking, a special state House of Representatives and Senate committee, plans to introduce legislation that also would prosecute adults for allowing underage drinking parties and suspend the driver's licenses of teens who drive drunk.

Angela Hirsch, executive director of the Missouri chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said the measure is "an excellent step in the right direction." However, she voiced disappointment that the committee failed to include an increase in alcohol taxes to fund enhanced anti-drinking programs for youth.

Sen. Michael Gibbons (R-Kirkwood), chairman of the committee, expects the House and Senate to act on the measures when the next legislative session begins in January.

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