Are parents allowed to give their kids alcohol in Washington? Here’s what state law says

BELLINGHAM — All fifty states require you to be at least 21 years old to possess alcohol. But there’s less of a consensus on whether or not minors can drink under the supervision of a parent. According to a 2023 database maintained by the National Institute of Health’s Alcohol Policy Information System, there’s nearly an even split between states on that question.

So if a parent opens a bottle of wine at dinner, does Washington allow them to let their child have a sip? Here’s what state law says.

Parents can give their children alcohol in most cases

According to RCW 66.44.270, it’s illegal to “sell, give, or otherwise supply liquor to any person under the age of 21 years.” That includes allowing anyone under 21 to drink alcohol in a building they own or are in charge of. It’s also illegal for anyone under 21 to “possess, consume, or otherwise acquire any liquor.”

However, the law contains an exception for alcohol “given or permitted to be given to a person under the age of 21 years by a parent or guardian and consumed in the presence of the parent or guardian.” While that gives parents pretty broad reign to give their children alcohol, state law prohibits parents from giving alcohol to a minor in a business with a state liquor license, meaning parents can’t buy their kid an alcoholic drink at a bar or restaurant.

It’s also illegal for a minor to be in public, including in a car in public, after clearly having consumed alcohol., unless they’re being supervised by a parent To be in violation of this code, the minor’s breath must smell like liquor and either be near a container of alcohol or obviously under the influence, shown through speech or behavior.

Medical and religious exceptions for alcohol

State law contains a handful of other exceptions to the drinking age. People under the age of 21 are allowed to drink alcohol for medical purposes, if it’s given to them by a parent, guardian or doctor. There’s also an exception for alcohol used in a religious ceremony, although it requires that minors only drink the minimum amount necessary to participate in the service. Students enrolled in a college class that has an alcohol tasting for educational purposes are also allowed to drink, but only if the class has the proper permits.

While not technically an exception, state law says that a minor receiving medical attention for alcohol poisoning, or a minor who seeks medical attention for someone else with alcohol poisoning, can’t be prosecuted for underage drinking, assuming law enforcement had no prior evidence against them.