Additional Alcohol Information
During the 2011 Texas Legislative Session, a law was passed commonly referred to as the 911 Lifeline Law. This new law states that "there is no penalty for consumption or possession of alcohol by a minor if the minor was the first person to request emergency medical assistance in response to the possible alcohol overdose of the minor or another person, and remained on the scene until the medical assistance arrived, and cooperated with medical assistance and law enforcement personnel."[Alcoholic Beverage Code -- 106.04, 106.05]
The signs of alcohol poisoning can include:
- Mental confusion
- Unresponsive
- Seizures / stupor
- Regurgitating
- Hypothermia (low body temp...cold clammy skin)
- Erratic or slow breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Pale or bluish skin color
If you are involved in an alcohol emergency either on or off campus and you seek emergency medical assistance that meets the criteria of the Texas 911 Lifeline Law, then you will not face criminal prosecution for (1) minor in possession or (2) minor in consumption.
Did You Know?
If you are UNDER 21, it is illegal in Texas to...
- Purchase alcohol
- Attempt to purchase alcohol
- Possess alcohol
- Consume alcohol
- Misrepresent your age
- Be intoxicated in public
- Operate a motor vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol in your system
If you are OVER 21, it is illegal in Texas to...
- Provide alcohol to minors
- Be intoxicated in public
- Drive while intoxicated
Whether you are 21 or not, it is illegal to...
- Have an open container in a motor vehicle in the state of Texas