A New Hampshire senator has submitted Senate Bill 194 asking
for exemptions for underage hospitality students for the University of
New Hampshire's prestigious hospitality program, which is currently only
available to students at least 21 years of age.
University of New
Hampshire’s hospitality program is reportedly one of the most
sought-after courses at the school, as they must be able to taste wine and beer.
- Proposed by State Sen. Dan Innis, the new law would prevent underage UNH students from prosecution for underage drinking for tasting wine or beer as part of a class.
- According
to Innis, the bill enables an “educational experience” that could
enhance the usefulness of the hospitality courses in N.H.
- Students under 21 would only be permitted to “taste” the wine or beer, not swallow.
- States who already passed similar bills are Calif., Fla, Ill., Mo., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Ore., R.I., S.C., Wash., and Vermont.
- in 1985, Vermont passed its law, partially to aid the program at New England Culinary Institute, Montpelier.
