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Legislative Updates (from New Futures)
Go to New Futures.
Go to NH General Court.
The 2009 Legislative Session officially begins on January 7, 2009. Approximately one third of the members of the General Court are new and we are working hard to meet as many of the new folks as possible and speak with them about New Futures' issues. We expect that the legislature will consider 1000 bills this session but at this time we have seen only bill titles (Legislative Service Request, commonly referred to as "LSRs"). We expect that the actual bills will be available on line or in printed form beginning the second week in January and that committee hearings on bills will begin soon thereafter. We are waiting to finalize our tracking list of bills and positions until we have reviewed the final bills. As soon as this work is complete we will provide this information to you. We are paying attention to a number of LSRs including:
LSR 2009-H-0027 (relative to the sale of liquor by grocery and drug stores). The issue of whether liquor (distilled spirits) - now available only in State Liquor Stores - should be sold in grocery, convenience and drug stores is one that has received significant attention in the press recently. Because distilled spirits are a high-risk product for youth we have significant concern about possible expansion of sales of this product by grocery and convenience stores. We are waiting to learn details of the expansion proposals.
LSR 2009-H-0142 (relative to lowering the legal drinking age). We have and will continue to vigorously oppose efforts to reduce the minimum legal drinking age from 21 to 18.
LSR 2009-H-0436 (increasing the beer tax)
LSR 2009-H-0497 (relative to employment of minors by liquor licensees)
LSR 2009-H-0564 (relative to the licensing of drug and alcohol counselors)
LSR 2009-H-0565 (relative to the scope of practice of master licensed alcohol and drug counselors)
LSR 2009-H-0898 (relative to prohibited sales of alcoholic beverages)
LSR 2009-S-0974 (relative to proof of age for an underage drug or alcohol house party)
LSR 2009-S-0980 (relative to liquor profits deposited into the alcohol abuse prevention and treatment fund)
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Enjoy the Super Bowl Safely!
Derry, NH - 1/7/09 - Community Alliance for Teen Safety (CATS) announced today that they are supporting the National Football League (NFL), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and other State and local highway safety and law enforcement officials to remind adults of legal age to act responsibly by designating a sober driver if they plan on drinking alcohol on Super Bowl Sunday. Also, it is illegal to provide alcohol to minors under any circumstances - even in one's home. CATS does not condone underage drinking.
Super Bowl Sunday is one of America's biggest and most entertaining national sporting events as friends and families gather to socialize and watch the big game. Yet, it has also become one of the Nation's most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving. In 2007, fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes accounted for 32 percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities.
Designating a sober driver should be on the top of everyone's Super Bowl party list as well as insuring minors in attendance do not have access to alcohol.
If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:
- Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in an impaired-driving crash, if you provide alcohol to minors or if minors are drinking alcohol in your home.
- Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
- Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.
- Include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
- Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter of the game.
If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:
- Designate your sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
- If you don't have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend, or family member to come and get you.
- Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired. Remember, Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk.
Always buckle up - it's still your best defense against other impaired drivers.
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CATS Receives Planning Grant
The Community Alliance for Teen Safety (CATS) was recently awarded a Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) that will benefit the towns of Chester, Derry, Hampstead, Londonderry, Pelham, Salem, and Windham and support initiatives that address underage drinking and associated risk factors. The SPF-SIG is a federal project of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The priority areas identified for the towns in this coverage area are the influence of retail access to alcoholic beverages, social access as teens reported gaining access to alcohol from friends or family, and a reduced perception of risk due to factors such as social norms. Selected strategies for addressing these priorities include social host liability education and enforcement, and social norms/social marketing campaigns. The Safe Homes Network will benefit from this opportunity to grow in a sustainable manner with increased and dedicated support. CATS will keep you updated with progress reports.
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