State Law In
Tennessee
What does state law say?
It is against the law for a host to knowingly allow an underage adult (defined as a person who is at least 18, but less than 21) to consume alcohol on property the host owns or controls. It is also illegal for a person to give or buy alcohol to any minor (persons under 18) for any purpose. A provision of this law states that hosts who allow minors to obtain alcohol or other unlawful substances can be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
DEFINITIONS WITHIN THE LAW:
Underage adult is defined as a person who is at least 18, but less than 21.
SETTINGS COVERED:
Property that the host owns, occupies, or has a lawful right to use.
What happens if an adult breaks the law?
Not specified in the law.
Can adult do anything to rescind the violation?
The host may be able to rescind the violation if they can demonstrate that they upon a reasonable belief that that the underage adult was 21.
Can the adult be sued?
Finding of the General Assembly that it is the consumption of alcoholic beverage or beer rather than the furnishing that is the proximate cause of injuries inflicted upon another by an intoxicated person.