Bars may be forced to cancel all-ages shows and re-evaluate how to hold events with minors under a state law that goes into effect today.

For people under 21 to be present at an establishment with a liquor license, there will have to be one attentive chaperone over the age of 25 for every five minors. Previously, a chaperone was required for every 50 minors. The change was signed into law by former Gov. Mark Schweiker on Dec. 9.

"Basically, what that would mean is that for our shows at Crowbar, I'd need to have 50 chaperones here," said Dave Wells, director of operations for Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave. "We know Crowbar will be targeted, and it's not even feasible for us to proceed as we were."

State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Bellefonte) said he voted for the bill, but wasn't aware of the provision, which he said was buried amid a few dozen other changes to the Pennsylvania Liquor Code approved in November.

Benninghoff said the legislation went through many changes during several months in the General Assembly, and he doesn't remember any discussion of this particular change. "To me, it sounds like a policing nightmare," Benninghoff said.

Officials at the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board were unavailable for comment yesterday. The board's Web site says the new law's primary effect is to allow 61 state-owned liquor stores to remain open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays beginning this weekend.

Twenty-year-old Ryan Hennessy (junior-computer science) said he has attended about 20 shows at Crowbar in the past two-and-a-half years. He was shocked to hear about the code change.

"That's horrible," Hennessy said. "That leaves no concert venue in the area for ... bands that are on their way up, bands that cater to a younger crowd."

Wells encouraged students who might be angry about the clause to contact local elected officials.

Crowbar began running an ad in The Daily Collegian today, offering free food and admission to people older than 25 willing to serve as chaperones.

Benninghoff said he hopes the new regulation won't hurt business at restaurants and bars, but he encouraged the owners to complain if it becomes a problem.

"We'll endeavor to continue to book bands like Seether and Papa Roach, but they'll be over-21 shows," Wells said. "Since we're a secondary market, it'll be tough to get the bigger names."