INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana lawmakers passed a bill that now gives 18-year-olds the opportunity to sell or serve alcohol.
Senate Bill 146 lowered the age from 19 to 18 during the 2024 legislative session.
According to the law, restaurants and hotels in Indiana can now hire servers who are 18 to serve guests alcoholic beverages under certain conditions. Workers must complete an alcohol server training program while employed, and they cannot work as bartenders.
"I have an 18-year-old, so it would be a conversation that I would have to talk to him about. I'm not sure I feel having an 18-year-old is mature enough to handle serving alcohol," Bridget Comstock said.
The law has some on both sides of the aisle.
"I worked in restaurants and in retail when I was younger. I would always have to get someone older to ring up the item or to bring the item to the table. It just seemed like it was for show, and I could've just easily taken the bottle myself or put the drink on the table myself," Cherise said.
13News called many downtown Indianapolis restaurants and were told they only hire servers 21 and over.
Other restaurants are bound by corporate ownership laws. Many other states have also passed laws and lowered ages.
According to the NIH's Alcohol Policy Information, West Virginia allows 16-year-olds to not only serve alcohol, but bartend.
Some argue this could introduce a young person to alcohol too early.
"I would say no, that's not a good idea. I don't think they're mature enough to make that decision," Scott Comstock said.
Many are hoping young people can be responsible and not give in to peer pressure.
"I'm a teacher, and I know that kids at that age aren't always mature enough to handle that situation, and you don't know what's happening behind the scenes at the restaurants as well," Bridget said.
Lawmakers say the law also extends to grocery stores. Anyone 18 years of age or older can ring up alcohol purchases.
A Kroger spokesperson told 13News that a manager or an older associate would have to assist the younger employee with the sale of alcohol.