VOTE DELAYED ON LAW AIMED AT DRINKING MINORS

SANTA CRUZ -- The city council has delayed until Tuesday a decision on
a proposed law making it illegal for minors to ask adults to buy them
alcohol at a liquor store.

The city's proposed law against ``shoulder-tapping,'' as the practice
is commonly called, would be among the first in California. Existing
state law already prohibits minors from possessing alcohol and adults
from giving it to them. It also prohibits minors from asking bar
patrons to buy them a drink.

But there is no law against minors asking liquor store customers to
buy them booze.

The ordinance was scheduled for a hearing this week but was delayed
because of a full meeting schedule.

Violations would be infractions punishable by a $100
fine.