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City moves forward on social host ordinance

After expressing the frustration of discussing pet law for nearly a year now, Havre's Ordinance Committee took a more direct approach with the proposed social host ordinance.

The committee voted to send the draft out for full City Council consideration.

The city's discussion about social host started with a presentation by the Hill County Coalition for Rethinking Drinking less than two months ago, at the committee's Feb. 15 meeting.

The first draft, based on the parts of similar laws in place in Billings and Great Falls, appeared before the committee two weeks ago, on March 23.

At Wednesday's meeting, the committee decided to send that draft, with a few small wording clarifications, to the full council's agenda for the next meeting on Monday, April 18.

Not only that, but the April 18 meeting will be preceded by a forum at 6:30 p. m., where members of the public will be able to express their views on the ordinance directly to City Council, just before the council votes on their first reading.

The social host ordinance would allow law enforcement to cite the hosts or organizers of parties or gatherings where minors are consuming alcoholic beverages.

Most of the council and the mayor have expressed support for the ordinance.

Even representatives from the local landlords' association have lent their support, once assured that the law would not make them liable for their tenants' wrongdoing.

 

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