SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 277

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 8, 1997

      The Senate Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 277 (1R). 

      This bill will permit underage persons 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 the 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 not less than $500.