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Some lawmakers say a proposed bill will result in more drunk drivers

May 15, 2001
By: Jenny Hoff
State Capital Bureau
Links: HB 421

After a heated debate, the House passed a bill that will make bars and restaurants more liable for serving alcohol to intoxicated and underage customers. Jenny Hoff has more from the State Capitol.

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Although it passed with a solid majority in the House, those opposed to the bill voiced their objections loudly.

Representative Monaco says bartenders will check less IDs in order to use the defense that they didn't know someone was underage.

Monaco also says people will act less responsibly if they know they can sue bartenders for serving them too much alcohol.

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Contents: Monaco says as a defense lawyer for a drunk driver, the first thing he would use is this law to get the defendant off the hook. He says this will lead to more drunk driving.

Supporters of the bill say the law will make bars and restaurants pay more attention to who they serve.

From Jefferson City, this is Jenny Hoff...KMOX news.Date: 05-15-01

Some lawmakers say a bill that will allow people to sue bars and restaurants for serving underage and intoxicated customers has too many loopholes in it. Jenny Hoff has more from Jefferson City.

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The House passed a bill that will make bar owners and restaurants liable for serving drunk and underage customers, but only if they do it knowingly.

One lawmaker says people won't be able to bring a case against the bars since the plaintiff will have to prove he showed physical signs of intoxication.

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Contents: "You have to prove that you showed physical inebriation but then you don't have an objective standard for inebriation. Then you have this vague physical dysfunction and you know the 163 have various levels of physical dysfunction.

Other opponents of the bill say bartenders will just stop checking IDs so they can use the defense that they didn't know someone was underage. From Jefferson City, this is Jenny Hoff...KMOX news.