HB419 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Reed IngramRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Open house parties, owners of residences, prohibited from allowing persons under the age of 21 have alcohol or illegal drugs, requirement that owner be present deleted, enforcement further provided

Summary

HB419 removes the requirement that the host of an open house party must be present and lets police enter the home on reasonable suspicion to enforce under-21 alcohol or drug violations.

What This Bill Does

It changes the rules for open house parties by no longer requiring the adult host to be on site and by allowing law enforcement to enter the residence if there is reasonable suspicion of a violation. It states that an open house party cannot continue if under-21 individuals illegally possess or consume alcohol or drugs, the host knows about it, and fails to take reasonable action to stop it. It also creates a Class B misdemeanor for violating this section and provides definitions for key terms, with an effective date of October 1, 2024.

Who It Affects

• Open house party hosts/owners and those in charge of a residence: no longer required to be present at the party, but must take reasonable action to prevent illegal under-21 activity; violations can result in a Class B misdemeanor.
• People under 21 who illegally possess or consume alcohol or illegal drugs at an open house party: their illegal activity is addressed under the new rules, with enforcement possible through host action and police involvement.

Key Provisions

• Deletes the requirement that the adult in control of the residence must be in attendance at the open house party.
• Authorizes a law enforcement officer, on a call to the residence, to enter the premises based on reasonable suspicion of a violation.
• If under-21 alcohol or controlled substances are illegally possessed or consumed, the adult knows about it, and fails to take reasonable action, the open house party cannot continue.
• Violating the section by the adult is a Class B misdemeanor.
• Defines key terms used in the section (adult, adult having control of a residence, open house party, reasonable action, residence, etc.).
• Effective date: October 1, 2024.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes & Offenses