What is a Social Host?
Any person who provides the location for people under 21 to drink alcoholic beverages.
Oklahoma’s Social Host law puts a shared responsibility for underage drinking on the person providing the location for the gathering. Adults or minors can be cited and fined under the Social Host law.
Cody's Law: House Bill 2792
House Bill 2792, also known as Cody’s Law is named after Cody Ryan Greenhaw who passed away in 2004 as a result of underage drinking. Cody was only 16 years old when he died.
Oklahoma’s Social Host law means it’s up to you to make sure kids don’t drink in your home or on your property. The law is clear: If kids under age 21 are drinking alcohol at a gathering, and you’re providing the location for that gathering, you’re responsible — whether you’re an adult or a minor, and whether you rent, own, or simply provide the location. Fines for the first offense are up to $500.
They're All Our Kids
The directions taken by the lives of our children are determined by the decisions they are making now while they are young. The choices our children are making will be the building blocks that create the adults they will be when they are in their 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond.
Not only will our children’s decisions impact their own lives, but today’s children will also grow up to be the parents and grandparents of the future, serving as examples for generations not yet born.
According to the CDC, the consequences of underage drinking include:
- Increased risk of physical and sexual violence
- Increased risk of homicide
- Increased risk of suicide
- Altered brain development with permanent, life-long effects
- Increased risk of death or injury resulting from motor vehicle crashes, falls, or drowning
Prevention is the gateway to better decisions that will lead to brighter futures. It is our responsibility to give our children the knowledge they need to create the future they deserve, because their future is our future.
Oklahoma's Social Host Law
Property Owners are Accountable
If people under 21 are gathered and drinking on private property, the person who provides the location is considered the Social Host, and will be held accountable.
Accountability Goes Beyond the Party
A “Social Host” can be a minor or adult and does not have to be physically present or the actual property owner.
Fines are Immediate
Social Host violations carry a first-time fine of up to $500.
Adults and Minors are Accountable
If someone is injured or killed because of a Social Host violation, you can be charged with a felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.
Repeat Offenders Can go to Prison
Fines increase with additional violations — three strikes gets you a felony conviction with up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.
Alcohol is the most widely-abused substance by Sequoyah County youth.
According to the 2019-2020 Oklahoma Prevention Needs Survey (OPNA):
29.2% of students surveyed reported drinking alcohol in their own homes WITH their parent’s permission.
