Bill calls for scanning licenses to curb underage drinking in Hudson Valley

Liquor storeowners and state Senator Nick Spano (R-Yonkers) are pushing for passage of a bill that calls for using scanners to keep alcohol from minors.The scanners would process bar codes on the back of licenses and could be used by clubs, grocery stores and liquor shops to proof patrons. Fake IDs would result in an ?invalid bar code? print out. Similar scanners are already being used by lottery vendors to verify a person?s age.Laws on the books now punish merchants for selling alcohol to minors by closing their store for a few days. Repeat offenders risk losing their licenses.