SENATOR JOINS KUTZTOWN OFFICIALS IN URGING ACTION
ON LEGISLATION TO CLAMP DOWN ON UNDERAGE DRINKING IN COLLEGE TOWNS

          Kutztown, February 15, 2008 -- Senator Michael A. O’Pake joined borough officials today to call for action on a package of bills introduced in the state Senate this week to deal with the problems of underage drinking in college communities.
          “We all know that these problems have been on the rise, with a very noticeable and dangerous increase in binge-drinking,” O’Pake said. “People living in college towns put up with offensive behavior and students are often victims.”
          “This package of bills gives local officials the authority and the funding they need to combat underage drinking and drug use and the reckless behavior that can result in tragic consequences,” added Senator O’Pake.
          A key part of the package, the Reading Democrat said, would give 10 percent of the state Liquor Tax collected in their borders to municipalities opting to use their own police to enforce the liquor law.
          Other bills in the package would:
          --  Require all universities and colleges in Pennsylvania to notify parents of underage students of their policies on alcohol and drug use and for notifying parents when an underage student violates them or related state and local law, or when it is otherwise considered necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or others.
          --  Require that public colleges and universities report every three months to the host community on their handling of students convicted of violating laws in the community.
          --  Require magisterial district judges to notify public universities and colleges when a student is convicted of any offense, other than summary traffic offenses, with the host community.
          --  Direct the Joint State Government Commission of the legislature to study notification practices in other states.
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