The Clinton County Board is considering making it a crime for someone to host a party on their property and allow alcohol to be served to minors.
The law could also help the County address its underage drinking rate.
Iowa ranked all 99 of its counties when it looked at factors such as teen drinking rates, drunk driving convictions, and adult alcohol surveys.
Clinton finds itself in the top 20 number of counties with poor scores.
It's one of two dozen Iowa counties receiving a federal grant to tackle the problems of underage and adult binge drinking.
The ordinance's supporters believe adding a criminal penalty for hosting a party will help that goal.
Gateway Impact Coalition Coordinator Crystal Lawburgh says "If they start younger they're more likely to have a problem with alcohol or other substance abuse."
Finding ways to prevent underage drinking is Lawburgh's job. She works with different groups throughout the Clinton area to come up with new solutions. The latest, a rule to hold party planners responsible.
"Most of them say they're getting it from parents or older individuals so we still have even those number are going down we still have 30 percent reporting that they are using," says Lawburgh.
Clinton County Attorney Mike Wolf says, "There's never a safe situation with teenagers and alcohol so we want to send a message, don't provide a haven for this type of activity."
He says the social host rule makes it a crime to knowingly provide a place for underage kids to drink. That person would be arrested.
"If you're going to provide a location in which minors are going to be served alcohol and you're aware of that, then you're going to face consequences," says Wolf.
Consequences including up to a 625 dollar fine and up to 30 days in jail. The rule is meant to change the idea that there can be a safe place for kids to drink.
"You're playing with fire, because teenagers and alcohol do very stupid things," says Wolf.
"Even if the alcohol is available even if it's from an older family member or a parent or they're served in a bar, for example, they should not make the decision to drink," says Lawburgh.
It's decision the County may make easier for kids, by putting party planners on notice.
The ordinance needs to be read three times before being approved by the board of supervisors.
It does contain exceptions for religious rituals and other situations written into the Iowa Code.
