WHITE PLAINS – The Westchester County Board of Legislators Monday night approved a social host law aimed at penalizing adults who create the opportunities for minors to drink alcohol. The law takes effect immediately.

Under the terms of the law, an adult who knowingly allows a party, gathering or event where minors are present and drinking alcohol, or if the parent finds out minors are there on their premises, fails to take corrective action to stop the drinking, will be punished by fines. They range from $250 for the first offense to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year for a third offense.

“We’ve seen too many sad cases which could have been avoided if an adult had stepped in and done the right thing,” said County Legislator William Burton, chairman of the Legislation Committee.

“The bottom line is that alcohol and minors don’t mix,” he said. “This law protects minors from adults who are complicit in encouraging underage drinking.”