ASSEMBLY LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 277

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: SEPTEMBER 16, 1996

      The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 277 with Committee Amendments.

      Assembly Bill 277, as amended by the committee, amends section 1 of P.L.1979, c.264 (C.2C:33-15) to permit underage individuals to use alcoholic beverages when preparing foods as part of a culinary arts or hotel management program at a county vocational school or post secondary educational institution.

      Currently, the statutes prohibiting the possession of alcoholic beverages by underage persons do not provide a waiver for underage students who must use such beverages in preparing certain dishes as part of their course work and training in culinary arts or hotel management programs. Consequently, it is a violation of the law for an underage student enrolled in culinary arts or hotel management program to take a course that includes training in the preparation of dishes which involves the use of alcoholic beverages. An underage person charged with the illegal possession and use of an alcoholic beverage is guilty of a disorderly persons offense and subject to a fine of less than $500.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 277 amends section 1 of P.L.1979, c.264 (C.2C:33-15) to permit the use of alcoholic beverages by underage individuals who are engaged in the preparation of food as part of a culinary arts or hotel management program in a county vocational school or post secondary educational institution.

      When introduced, the bill also amended section 1 of P.L.1981, c.197 (C.2C:33-16) to authorize persons who teach food preparation courses in culinary arts programs to possess alcoholic beverages on school premises if that alcohol is to be used for the actual preparation of a food dish in a class. The committee removed this provision, believing that this blanket authorization might undermine the authority and power of the local school board and principal to control and regulate the possession of alcoholic beverages on school property.

       This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 1996 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review which has been performed.