Fifty-one percent of underage college students thought obtaining alcohol was “very easy” and 18 percent had obtained alcohol with a fake ID, according to a study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Increasingly, rather than purchasing fake IDs, students are borrowing real IDs from of-age friends, who then purchase a new ID for a small fee, Rep. Mike Kelley, R-Jefferson City, said.
Currently, an individual caught possessing a fake ID would be given a misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine and have the ID confiscated. However, current laws are only applicable for those with fake IDs, not for those using someone else’s valid ID. In order to “keep up with the times,” Kelley introduced House Bill 294, which would extend punishment to individuals who falsely identify themselves as another person to a law enforcement officer with someone else’s ID.
“I can imagine that hopefully this will bring more people to school for the right reasons, rather than for partying,” Kelley said.
A new ID in Columbia costs $11, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles’ website. To obtain a new Class A, B or C Missouri driver’s license in Columbia, one could pay $22.50 for a three-year version, or $25 for a six-year version, it states.
MU junior Kathrynne Black said she supports the punishment being increased.
“I don’t think anyone should be able to have someone else’s identification information,” Black said. “I know I would be upset if I knew that people were using my information to do anything, especially if it involves breaking the law.”
MU Police Department spokesman Capt. Brian Weimer said if the bill passed, MUPD would enforce the law, just like any other crime.
“If officers observe the crime they will take action,” Weimer said. “It is the police department’s job to enforce the law and we will do so as written by the regulators.”
A public hearing for the bill was held April 29. Another hearing for the bill has not yet be scheduled. If passed, the bill will become effective Aug. 28.