We elect our state legislators with the hope that they will represent our interests, or at the very least, that they will read bills before they vote on them.

But with no debate and apparently very little thought, a new state law went into effect Friday requiring establishments with liquor licenses to have one attentive chaperone over the age of 25 for every five minors.

This effectively makes it impossible -- or at least highly impractical -- for any business with a liquor license to host an all-ages event or an under-21 night. The rule was an add-on buried in a bill that authorized Sunday liquor sales in Pennsylvania.

State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Bellefonte) said he voted for the bill but wasn't aware of the provision regarding under-21 events. Benninghoff generally does a good job representing Penn State students, but he let us down by voting for this bill without fully understanding what he and his fellow representatives were authorizing.

Benninghoff said he doesn't remember any discussion of the change. That's a shame, because at a community such as Penn State where so much of the population is under 21, the new law is going to have a big impact. It will seriously hamper students' social lives and hurt local businesses.

Entertainment options for under-21-year-olds can seem sparse in State College, and by effectively eliminating all-ages concerts and under-21 nights, the legislators have made the situation even worse.

Local businesses who cater to a mixed crowd already do an excellent job of ensuring that minors don't drink. Now that young adults can't attend these events, they might be more likely to spend their nights drinking at their friends' apartments or dorm rooms instead. It seems that the law will have the opposite effect than what the lawmakers intended.

The previous rule -- that there had to be one attentive chaperone for every 50 minors -- made much more sense. Students and business owners who would like to see the new law nixed should make their voices heard by contacting our elected officials:

Jake Corman, state senator

218 W. High St.

Bellefonte, PA 16823

355-0477

Kerry Benninghoff, state representative

209 S. Allegheny St.

Bellefonte, PA 16823

355-1300

Lynn Herman, state representative

301 S. Allen St., Suite 10

State College, PA 16801

238-5477

225 Main Capitol

Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 787-2500