Oklahoma City Ceremony Spotlights Passage Of 'Cody's Law'

A "Cody&#39;s Law" ceremony set for Wednesday in Oklahoma City will spotlight the new law that provides stronger penalties for hosts who knowingly&nbsp;allow underage drinking in their homes. <br><br><a href="http://www.newson6.com/story/14214128/oklahoma-house-approves-codys-law?redirected=true">Oklahoma House Approves &#39;Cody&#39;s Law&#39;</a>

Wednesday, June 8th 2011, 12:13 pm

By: News On 6


NewsOn6.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A "Cody's Law" ceremony set for Wednesday in Oklahoma City will spotlight the new law that provides stronger penalties for hosts who knowingly allow underage drinking in their homes.

House Bill 1211 is named after Cody Greenhaw, a Tulsa teenager who died from a drug and alcohol overdose.

The social host law provides a misdemeanor and fine of up to $500 for the first violation and a fine of up to $1,000 for a second. Further violations can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of $2,500.

If a violation of Cody's Law results in bodily injury or death, a social host will face a fine of between $2,500 and $5,000 and up to five years of incarceration, according to Representative Dan Kirby, R-Tulsa, co-author of Cody's Law.

"I was proud to author this legislation, which means so much to the parents who have lost a child in a social host situation," said Kirby, R-Tulsa.

3/8/2011 Related Story: Oklahoma House Approves 'Cody's Law'

"Unfortunately, there are adults who do not seem to realize the dangers in providing alcohol to children or even young adults. Cody, who the bill is named for, died from an alcohol and drug overdose in an alleged social host situation."

At the time of Cody's death, there was no social host law in Oklahoma. Since then his mother, Sareva Greenhaw of Tulsa, has been on a battle against serving alcohol to underage party-goers.

Co-author Representative Dan Newberry, also a Tulsa Republican, said he is happy to see increased penalties for social hosting in situations resulting in a death or injury.

Both chambers of the Legislature passed House Bill 1211 unanimously. The legislation will take effect Nov. 1, 2011.

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