Section 10-117 - Furnishing for or allowing underage consumption. - Maryland Statutes

§ 10-117. Furnishing for or allowing underage consumption.
 

(a)  Prohibited - Furnishing alcohol.- Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person may not furnish an alcoholic beverage to an individual if: 

(1) the person furnishing the alcoholic beverage knows that the individual is under the age of 21 years; and 

(2) the alcoholic beverage is furnished for the purpose of consumption by the individual under the age of 21 years. 

(b)  Same - Allowing possession or consumption of alcohol.- Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, an adult may not knowingly and willfully allow an individual under the age of 21 years actually to possess or consume an alcoholic beverage at a residence, or within the curtilage of a residence that the adult owns or leases and in which the adult resides. 

(c)  Exceptions.-  

(1) The prohibition set forth in subsection (a) of this section does not apply if the person furnishing the alcoholic beverage and the individual to whom the alcoholic beverage is furnished: 

(i) are members of the same immediate family, and the alcoholic beverage is furnished and consumed in a private residence or within the curtilage of the residence; or 

(ii) are participants in a religious ceremony. 

(2) The prohibition set forth in subsection (b) of this section does not apply if the adult allowing the possession or consumption of the alcoholic beverage and the individual under the age of 21 years who possesses or consumes the alcoholic beverage: 

(i) are members of the same immediate family, and the alcoholic beverage is possessed and consumed in a private residence, or within the curtilage of the residence, of the adult; or 

(ii) are participants in a religious ceremony. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 401A; 2002, ch. 26, § 4; ch. 213, § 1; 2005, ch. 268; 2008, chs. 565, 566; 2009, ch. 499.]