A groundswell of support might change legislation that has in effect crippled under-21 entertainment in downtown State College.

An unofficial coalition of state legislators, students and representatives from the restaurant industry has expressed a strong interest in changing the new chaperone law. The law requires more adult supervisors for patrons under the age of 21 at venues that have liquor licenses.

Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, said his office has recently been flooded with complaints about how unfair the law is from a broad spectrum of constituents, including Penn State and high school students. Benninghoff voted for the bill's passage, but said he was unaware of the provision.

"You couldn't even take a wedding party into these places without being in violation of the law," Benninghoff said.

As a result, Benninghoff said he is considering drafting a new bill to raise the necessary ratio of adult chaperones to underage patrons.

Benninghoff said 10 other legislators from districts containing Penn State commonwealth campuses recently met with him to discuss co-sponsorship of any bill he writes to change the rule.

Pressure is also coming from the restaurant industry against the liquor code change.

Michael Desmond, part owner of Players Nite Club, 112 W. College Ave., also sits on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association. Desmond said that, at a recent board meeting, the association officially instructed its two lobbyists to work on ways to change the law.

He said a dialogue has been opened between the association, officials with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and key state legislators to try to work out a possible compromise. Desmond said he is unaware of any feedback from either party.

The amendment was sponsored by Sen. Vincent Fumo, D-Phila. Gary Tuma, spokesman for the senator, said the amendment was written in response to complaints about certain clubs in the Philadelphia area.

Neighbors and other patrons at these establishments expressed concern that underage patrons were both bringing alcohol into these venues and being served at the bars, he said.

"The law needed to be changed to provide greater adult supervision," Tuma said.

He said Fumo responded to these complaints by authoring the amendment, which was added to the overall liquor bill during a committee vote. Tuma added lobbyists and other legislators were aware of the change before its floor vote, but probably did not understand its full effect until after passage.

Patrick Conway, chief executive officer for the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association, said putting this amendment into the overall liquor bill left many people in the dark.

"I think it was an issue that surprised many trade groups," said Conway, adding the association was able to weigh in on most other components of the bill. The change in chaperone requirements, however, came too late for proper consideration, he said.

As a result of the law change, Desmond said enough chaperones still have not been found to reopen Players to underage customers on certain nights of the week. He said the new law, coupled with the fact that chaperones cannot be paid, makes reopening impossible.

Desmond also characterized the old version of the law as an unnecessary burden. He doesn't see chaperones serving any useful purpose because of the nature of the underage entertainment at Players.

"We are talking about a non-alcoholic situation," Desmond said.

But he added the old rule was much better because he could always count on a few people to always show up and bring events into compliance.

Tuma said Fumo is aware of similar complaints people have about the law change through lobbying and media groups. The senator is willing to hear complaints about his amendment and will consider changes if they are proved necessary, he added.

"If an adjustment is necessary, then he is willing to consider that," Tuma said.