Michigan Votes Forum

 I agree.  Minors should not be subject to testing if they aren't driving.  Certainly not without parental approval.

This is realistic, sensible and sane legislation that should pass.

 This is absolutely insane.  Why on earth would you tie law enforcements hands by not allowing them to test these children?  Why don't we just go back 20 years when we were sending the message it is okay to drink and risk brain damage, death (2/3 of the teenage had been drinking deaths do not involve a vehicle) unplanned sexual activity/pregnancy and an increase likelihood of at least 1/2 dozen other violent crimes.  Just don't drive.

Our state is currently spending 11.75 million dollars to increase prevention efforts to address underage drinking this amendment completely undermines those efforts.  Given the fact that 20 to 30 percent of alcohol industry’s profits come from underage drinkers I can’t help but wonder who is really behind this amendment.

E.J. McAndrew

The Mackinac Center synopsis and captioning for this bill is misleading.  SB 644 does not ban breath or blood to determine if non-driving young adults have consumed alcohol.

Here is what the bill says, in pertinent part:

(6) A peace officer who has reasonable cause to believe a minor has consumed alcoholic liquor or has any bodily alcohol content may require request the person to submit to a preliminary chemical breath analysis. If the minor refuses the request of the peace office to take the test, a test shall not be given without a court order. …

I'm not too sure a court order is that easy to get.

A breath test is not, to my mind, an invasive test. If a police officer suspects, with good cause, a minor has broken the law by consuming alcohol, they should be able to verify this by a breath test. I see no red flag of civil rights being violated in that, therefore see no need for this legislation.

A cop was on his horse waiting to cross the street, when a little girl on her new shiny bike stopped beside him. 'Nice bike,' the cop said. 'Did Santa bring it to you?' 'Yes Sir,' the little girl said, 'he sure did!' The cop looked the bike over and handed the girl a $5 ticket for a safety violation. The cop said, 'Next year, tell Santa to put a reflector light on the back of it!' The young girl looked up at the cop and said, 'Nice horse you've got there Sir. Did Santa a bring it to you?' Playing along with the girl, he chuckled and answered, 'Yes, he sure did!' The little girl looked up at the cop and said, 'Next year tell Santa: The *** goes underneath the horse, not on top '

LOL