ARTICLE III

[Consumption by Minors on Public Property]

Possession by Minors in the Town of Westport

[Section 6-6 Possession or consumption unlawful.

A. It shall be unlawful for any minor to possess or consume alcoholic beverages upon or within the premises of any public park, beach, school or school grounds, parking lot, street, sidewalk, alley or public way, municipal building or any other public property owned or leased by the Town of Westport.

B. For the purpose of this section, “minor” means any person under nineteen (19) years of age, unless the term minor, as defined in Section 30-1 (20) of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended by P.A. 82-68, is further amended, in which case this Article shall be deemed to be consistent with the amended definition.]

Section 6-6 Possession by Minors

A. Purpose.

The purpose of this Article is to address the issue that the unregulated

possession of alcoholic liquor by persons under the age of twenty-one (21) is detrimental to the general welfare, health and safety of the residents of the Town of Westport, and especially its youth.

B. Definitions.

1) “Alcoholic liquor” shall have the same meaning as that term is defined in Connecticut General Statutes Section 30-1(3), as amended from time to time.

2) “Minor” shall have the same meaning as that term is defined in Connecticut General Statutes Section 30-1(12), as amended from time to time.

3) “Host” shall mean to organize an event or gathering of two or more persons or to allow the premises under one’s control to be used with one’s knowledge for an event or gathering of two or more persons for personal, social or business interaction

4) “Possess” shall mean to have physical possession or otherwise to exercise dominion or control over tangible property

5) “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, association, syndicate, company, trust, corporation, limited liability company, municipality, agency, or political or administrative subdivision of the state or other legal entity of any kind

C. Possession of Alcoholic Liquor

No minor shall be in possession of containers of alcoholic liquor, whether open or closed, anywhere within the Town of Westport, whether on public or private property.

D. Hosting an Event or Gathering

No person shall host an event or gathering at which the host knowingly allows alcoholic liquor to be consumed by or dispensed to any minor.

E. Exceptions.

The provisions of paragraphs C and D of this ordinance shall not apply to:

(i) a person who is an employee or permit holder under C.G.S. Section 30-90a and who possesses alcoholic liquor in the course of his/her employment or business;

(ii) a minor who possesses alcoholic liquor on the order of a practicing physician;

(iii) a minor who possesses alcoholic liquor while accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or spouse who has attained the age of twenty-one; and

(iv) the possession or consumption of alcoholic liquor by a minor as part of a religious service.

F. Possession Otherwise Permitted by Law

In addition to the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit the serving, selling, possession or consumption of alcoholic liquor by a minor if otherwise permitted by the Connecticut General Statutes, Connecticut Constitution or the United States Constitution.