9:17B-1. Legislative findings

The Legislature finds and declares and by this act intends, pending the revision and amendment of the many statutory provisions involved, to:

a. Extend to persons 18 years of age and older the basic civil and contractual rights and obligations heretofore applicable only to persons 21 years of age or older, including the right to contract, sue, be sued and defend civil actions, apply for and be appointed to public employment, apply for and be granted a license or authority to engage in a business or profession subject to State regulation, serve on juries, marry, adopt children, attend and participate in horse race meetings and parimutuel betting and other legalized games and gaming, except as otherwise provided in subsection c. of this section, sell alcoholic beverages, act as an incorporator, registered agent or director of a corporation, consent to medical and surgical treatment, execute a will, and to inherit, purchase, mortgage or otherwise encumber and convey real and personal property.

b. Extend to persons 21 years of age and older the right to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages on January 1, 1983, provided that anyone attaining the age to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages legally prior to January 1, 1983, shall retain that right. Nothing in this act shall preclude any licensee under R.S. 33:1-1 et seq. from making purchases in the regular course of his licensed activities.

c. Extend to persons at or over the age at which a person is authorized to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages, heretofore applicable only to persons 18 years of age or older, the right to attend and participate in casino gaming. Nothing in this act shall preclude any licensee under the "Casino Control Act," P.L.1977, c. 110 (C. 5:12-1 et seq.) from attending and participating in casino gaming in the regular course of his licensed activities.

d. Abolish the right of a person between the ages of 18 and 21 years to disaffirm and be relieved of contractual obligations by reason of age.

L.1972, c. 81, s. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1973. Amended by L.1979, c. 260, s. 1, eff. Jan. 2, 1980; L.1982, c. 215, s. 1, eff. Dec. 28, 1982; L.1983, c. 134, s. 1, eff. April 13, 1983.