Wisconsin Bill Giving Leeway to Underage Drinkers Considered

A proposal designed to offer protection to underage drinkers who need emergency help is getting a mixed reception.

Several University of Wisconsin students testified in support of the measure Thursday before the Assembly’s colleges and universities committee.

But the police chiefs from the UW campuses in Madison and Whitewater raised concerns that the measure doesn’t give law enforcement enough leeway in deciding how to handle underage drinkers.

Under the bill, a student who seeks and obtains emergency assistance and cooperates with police would not be subject to serious disciplinary actions from the university or police for their own alcohol consumption.

Bill sponsors say there are nearly 200 campuses nationwide that have some form of the law in place.