Nevada Approves Youth Booze Bill

Youths with booze on their breath could be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor crime, under a bill approved in the Nevada Senate. The measure would extend already existing penalties for buying or possessing alcohol to prohibit minors from being impaired “to any degree.” The measure was amended to ensure that children under eight would not be arrested. Proponents says the bill is designed to ensure police who can arrest a teen for carrying a can of beer can do the same for somebody who has been drinking but throws that can away. The bill´s critics say the measure is overly broad and too moralistic. They also worry about police stopping blacks and other minorities and making discriminatory arrests if they smell alcohol.