Underage drinking laws can be confusing, change over time, and vary by state. Parents, or those in a parenting role, and teens are often unclear about the laws and have misconceptions about the consequences of breaking the laws.

As a parent or someone in a parenting role, you make a lot of decisions about what is acceptable or not acceptable for your child/teen regarding alcohol use. Knowing the underage drinking laws and ordinances in your community and state can help you make informed decisions about what is best for your child/teen. As a parent, you are key to helping your child prevent harm associated with alcohol.

This podcast, as part of ParentingMontana.org, explores the underage drinking laws specific to Montana and discusses scenarios that you, as a parent or someone in a parenting role, might encounter. The Montana Department of Health and Human Services partnered with the Center for Health and Safety Culture at Montana State University to create tools and resources for the parents in Montana. Most of the content on ParentingMontana.org is relevant to parents everywhere, but this podcast is specific to underage drinking laws in Montana. So, if you are a parent in Montana, listen now to learn about the current laws around underage drinking for youth and adults.