A draft of a social host ordinance for Havre was first discussed by the Ordinance Committee at Wednesday night’s meeting.

Everyone agreed that the proposed law, to allow law enforcement to fine people who provide a venue for underage drinking, would be an important step in preventing the growing problem.

“The reality I’ve found is that college kids have parties with high school kids, and high school kids have parties with middle school kids, ” said City Prosecutor Tammi Barkus. “Last year I had to prosecute my first fourth-grader for minor in possession.

“I was not prepared for that.”

The ordinance presented was modelled closely on laws enacted recently in Billings and Great Falls.

It would give law enforcement the ability to charge people who provide a location for underage drinkers to have parties.

While breaking up an underage party, local law enforcement would be able to seek out the homeowner, the renter or whoever is responsible, and cite them with the new charge.

The proposal takes special consideration to go after those that “knowingly” allow the crime to happen, using that wording to protect oblivious landlords or parents from liability.

With those considerations, the local landlords association is prepared to support the draft, according to Brad Lotton who appeared at the meeting as the association’s representative.

Another supporter of the initiative was Bill Lanier, MSU-N assistant dean of students and student housing, who also sits on the Hill County Committee for Rethinking Drinking that has been pushing the ordinance.

“I am absolutely in favor of this bill, ” Lanier said. “It’s just one more thing we can use to keep kids from drinking. It’s a step in the right direction.”