Bill waives penalty for underage drinking
A unanimous Texas Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would waive prosecution for underage drinking by a victim or witness who reported a sexual assault.
“We’re trying to encourage more sexual assault survivors to come forth and seek help,” said Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, author of the bill.
Under Senate Bill 966, those who report an assault to a doctor, police officer or university Title IX coordinator could not be prosecuted for underage possession or underage consumption of alcohol — generally Class C misdemeanors that carry a fine but no jail time — if the drinking occurred during a sexual assault.
SB 966, which next goes to the House, was part of a package of Watson bills designed to encourage the reporting of sexual assaults. Other bills that have passed the Senate, but are awaiting House action, would make it easier for college students to report sexual assault and dating violence, protect victims and witnesses from being punished for conduct code violations if they report a crime, and require all universities to adopt specific sexual assault policies.
Read more: http://www.mystatesman.com/news/legislature-digest-bill-waives-penalty-for-underage-drinking/oArNbOG4INltjjqJDdmpbO/
