allowing students under age 21 to taste wine in educational settings.

College students under 21 can taste alcohol

New Hampshire allows students ages 18–20 to taste alcohol, without swallowing, for required college coursework. The law takes effect 60 days after passage. Students must remain enrolled at a public college or university accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor. The school must offer an associate or bachelor’s degree in winemaking or brewing designed to train industry professionals. Tastings must be part of coursework required for that degree. Students must first complete the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s alcohol education program. Tastings must be free and held in facilities the school owns and controls. An instructor age 21 or older must control the alcohol. Schools must record the course number, instructor, location, and beverages tasted, and provide these records to the commission on request. Students under 21 may receive alcohol only for curriculum requirements. This exception protects qualifying students and schools from prosecution under the underage-possession law. Schools need no license or permit when they charge no extra fee for the beverages. The exception does not allow under-21 possession or consumption on licensed premises. Outside legal exceptions, underage possession or intoxication remains a violation, with minimum fines of $300 initially and $600 for repeat offenses. These minimum fines cannot be waived, postponed, or suspended; courts may impose additional penalties. A blood alcohol level of 0.02 or higher counts as evidence of intoxication. Sales, gifts, and deliveries to people under 21 remain prohibited outside this educational exception, as do transfers to visibly intoxicated people. Carrier or delivery-agent shipments marked as alcoholic beverages or products require an adult signature.