On May 7, 2013, Oklahoma became the 13thstate (and DC) to set an exception for underage drinking when reporting a medical emergency due to underage drinking. See which states have this and other exceptions to minimum legal drinking age laws.
43 states have set their own exceptions to allow underage consumption of alcohol under certain circumstances. Nine states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, New Hampshire, and West Virginia) have no exceptions in their underage alcohol consumption laws.
[Editor’s Note: The information below is not in any way intended to be legal advice or to encourage alcohol consumption by people under the age of 21. The laws presented include only state laws regarding underage consumption of alcohol. We have excluded county and city ordinances that may further restrict underage drinking as well as laws against people furnishing alcohol to underage people. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the data provided, do not rely on this information without first checking current applicable law. This page was last updated on Apr. 24, 2013.]
I. Eight Different Exceptions to the Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) of 21
II. State by State (& Washington, DC) Guide to Underage Alcohol Consumption Laws and Exceptions
III. Explanation of the Eight Exceptions to the MLDA
IV. Related Links