HB 1432: Reducing Penalties; Underage Alcohol & Marijuana Use
🔴 THREAT LEVEL: HIGH
BILL SNAPSHOT
Bill Number: HB 1432
Bill Patron: Del. Leslie Mehta (D)
Bill Area: Juvenile Justice / Public Safety / Substance Use Policy
Who This Bill Affects: Minors under 21, parents, law-enforcement officers
QUICK SUMMARY
HB 1432 greatly reduces the penalties for minors who drink alcohol or possess marijuana.
Under this bill, a first offense results in a written warning only. A second offense requires a written warning and information about community service; and (c) a third offense results in a written notice and referral to services.
Currently, underage drinking is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which can include license suspension. Underage marijuana possession carries a $25 civil penalty and requires education or treatment.
This bill also (1) says minors cannot legally consent to a search.; (2) eBay simply holding alcohol or marijuana in plain view is not enough probable cause for police to search further.
In short: it shifts underage alcohol and marijuana violations from criminal penalties to a ‘warning’.
RALLY ANALYSIS
HB 1432 represents a significant shift in how Virginia handles underage substance use.
Supporters argue the bill reduces criminalization of youth and focuses on education instead of punishment.
The measure also limits law enforcement authority in encounters involving underage possession.
By removing ‘arrest authority’ and restricting searches to probable cause tied to visible possession, the bill narrows the enforcement tools that officers currently rely on.
WHY THIS MATTERS
- It replaces criminal penalties with written warnings for repeat violations
- It removes arrest or detention as an option in these cases
- It limits probable cause standards for searches
RALLY VERDICT: ❌ OPPOSE
HB 1432 dramatically weakens consequences for underage alcohol and marijuana use and limits law-enforcement authority.
Rally Virginia believes education and prevention matter, but accountability matters too.
Virginia families deserve policies that reinforce responsibility, not reduce it to a paper warning.
RALLY RADAR — THREAT LEVEL LEGEND
⚫ CRITICAL THREAT — Immediate and severe harm; must be stopped
🔴 HIGH THREAT — Serious risk to safety, liberty, or governance
🟡 MODERATE THREAT — Concerning but limited scope
🟢 LOW THREAT — Minimal impact or symbolic
