Sherburne County Could Pass Social Host Ordinance [AUDIO]

ELK RIVER -- Hosting a party with underage drinkers could soon be illegal in Sherburne County.  The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the issue at their meeting tomorrow (Tuesday).

County Attorney Kathleen Heaney says the "social host" ordinance would apply to all rural areas of the county, and would be similar to the ordinances already passed by the county's cities - like St. Cloud.

The ordinance would make it a misdemeanor for a person to host a party knowing there's underage drinking, and fails to prevent it.  Under the current law, a minor can get a ticket for underage drinking, but the host is not held accountable.

The public hearing begins at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) at the county board room in Elk River.