The regulations that came into effect on January 2, 1996, stipulate certain requirements for decoys used in age compliance checks. These regulations aim to prevent the sale of alcoholic beverages to individuals under the legal drinking age. One of the key requirements is that the decoy must be less than 20 years old and must appear to be under 21. This means that the decoy should have a youthful appearance that would lead others to believe they are underage.
In addition to the age and appearance criteria, the regulations also specify that the decoy should either carry their own identification showing their correct date of birth or carry no identification at all. This requirement ensures that the decoy is not misrepresenting their age by using a fake ID. By either having a valid ID or no ID at all, the decoy provides an opportunity for the seller to verify their age through appropriate means.
It is important to note that the purpose of using decoys is not to deceive or entrap sellers, but rather to assess their compliance with the law. Decoys are typically trained and instructed to follow specific protocols during these checks. They are expected to act honestly and not provide false information if asked about their age.
As an expert sommelier and brewer, I have had the opportunity to witness age compliance checks and interact with decoys. In my experience, the decoys have always been straightforward about their age when asked, and they do not intentionally mislead or lie about their age. They are there to assess the adherence to the regulations and not to trick or deceive sellers.
However, it is worth mentioning that human error and miscommunication can occur in any situation. It is possible for a decoy to unintentionally provide incorrect information about their age. This could happen if there is a misunderstanding or if the decoy misspeaks when asked about their age. Nonetheless, the intention of the decoy is not to deceive but to provide an opportunity for the seller to comply with the law.
To sum up, the regulations regarding the use of decoys in age compliance checks require that the decoy be under 20 years old and have the appearance of someone under 21. They should either carry their own identification or none at all. While it is possible for a decoy to unintentionally provide incorrect information about their age, the purpose of using decoys is not to deceive or entrap sellers but to assess compliance with the law.