Prompted by the death of 18-year-old Michael Joseph Gatto last summer, the Georgia House of Representatives approved legislation Friday to define what bars are, make 21 the minimum age to enter one or work as a bouncer, and place new demands on cities, counties and businesses to report alcoholic beverage violations. Rep. Geoff Duncan, a Republican from Gatto’s hometown of Cumming, was the bill’s lead sponsor, followed by Rep. Mike Dudgeon, R-John’s Creek, and a Statesboro-area legislator, Rep. Jan Tankersley, R-Brooklet. Rep. Jon Burns, R-Newington, and Rep. Butch Parrish, R-Swainsboro, also supported the bill in Friday’s 157-12 House vote.
Georgia House votes to raise minimum age for bouncers, bar patrons
Bill also seeks to strengthen reporting of alcohol violations