Visit Florida MADD's Legislation Page for more information on FL MADD's efforts.

The below information came from MIAMI-DADE COUNTY Chapter and we thank them for the use of this information. 

 MAKING A DIFFERENCE!  SAVING LIVES.

Since its founding, MADD has helped pass more than 2,300 anti-drunk driving and underage drinking laws. 

MADD was instrumental in the passage of the national 21 minimum drinking age law in 1984, as well as the 1995 "zero tolerance" provision of the National Highway Systems Law making it illegal for those under 21 to drive after consuming alcohol.  In 2000, MADD helped pass a federal drunk driving limit of .08 percent blood alcohol concentration, and is working to pass .08 BAC laws in the 31 states that do not yet have this law. 

MADD also advocates for passage of a federal constitutional amendment for victims' rights and stricter penalties for repeat and higher-risk drunk driving offenders, in addition to other key legislation in states across the country.

The information on this page will be updated on a regular basis to reflect the status of current legislation being tracked by MADD Florida. (LAST UPDATED: 5/2/2003)

DUI URINE TEST BILL (HB 947) PASSES!!!!

MADD Florida's top legislative priority  (HB 947) related to the acceptability of urine test in DUI cases was passed in the Florida Senate yesterday and is now ready for the Governor's signature. 

In other legislative news,

• (HB 1199) the Clean-up of last years legislation has passed in the House and is currently in the Senate.  The passage of this bill is somewhat uncertain. 
• The Primary Seatbelt bill is still alive in the House and Senate but time is rapidly running out on the Session. 
• All legislation that MADD Florida opposed was stopped.  Thanks to each of you for your work on this years legislation and especially to Jim DiBernardo for his tireless work.

Underage Drinking:  A Major Health Challenge
By the time they reach the 8th grade, nearly 50 percent of adolescents have had at least one drink and over 20 percent have been "drunk," according to a new alert by the NIAAA.  The report below outlines the latest statistics and research as well as policy and community prevention strategies.

MADD, GHSA SAY FTC REPORT SHOWS SOME IMPROVEMENT, BUT ALCOHOL MARKETERS STILL BREWING FOR KIDS’ ATTENTION

National Academy of Science's Recommendations Expected to Show Solutions

to Underage Drinking

Statement for attribution to:    Wendy J.  Hamilton, National President, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and  Kathryn Swanson, Chair, Governor's Highway Safety Association, (9/9/03)

     Underage drinking is the No. 1 youth drug problem in America – killing 6.5 times more young people than all the other illicit drugs combined and costing our country an estimated $58 billion each year.  A new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report released today shows once again what the public health community already knows: targeted advertising practices of the alcohol industry reach far too many kids in our nation.

     While alcohol ads may be reaching audiences where at least 50 percent are 21 or older, we say half is not good enough when you are talking about our kids.   America’s youth see more TV ads for beer than for sneakers, jeans, gum, juice or other popular youth products. Although we recognize that there are numerous contributing factors to youth alcohol use, it is clear that far too many irresponsible alcohol ads reach children.  If alcohol companies are meeting their own standards yet teens are still drinking at near epidemic proportions and countless surveys show youth are still overexposed to alcohol advertising, then maybe it is time to take a serious look at the standards and ask who they are protecting. 

     Alcohol companies must do more to limit youth exposure to alcohol beverage ads and limit youth access to alcohol.    We agree that everyone must play a role in keeping alcohol out of kid’s hands.  In fact, MADD’s Youth In Action teams work with the community and law enforcement to do just that.  But parents, activists and law enforcement can’t do it alone when youth are constantly bombarded with messages about alcohol in an environment that often looks the other way when it comes to teen drinking.

     We hope that this report, along with the National Academy of Sciences report on underage drinking prevention, expected to be released tomorrow, will incite a long overdue debate and action on this critical issue.   MADD and GHSA call on Congress to hold hearings on underage drinking prevention, including the advertising practices of the alcohol industry.  The safety of America’s youth must be put ahead of the alcohol industry’s efforts to build brand loyalty and increase their bottom line.