From
http://www.arunderagedrinking.com/minors.pdf :
Quote:
Provided, that nothing in this Regulation
shall prohibit a minor eighteen (18) years of age or older
I have found, when I researched this before as a favor for a friend; that many states have an item of legislature like the one that follows:
Quote:
(Arkansas) Title 9, Subtitle 3, Chapter 25, Section 9-25-101
a) All persons of the age of eighteen (18) years shall be considered to have reached the age of majority and be of full age for all purposes. Until the age of eighteen (18) years is attained, they shall be considered minors.
Subjection "B", below, expounds on the legislation related to the previous age of majority.
Quote:
(b) Any law of the State of Arkansas which presently requires a person to be of a minimum age of twenty-one (21) years to enjoy any privilege or right or to do any act or to participate in any event, election, or other activity shall be deemed to require that person to be of a minimum age of eighteen (18) years. However, this section shall not repeal, amend, or otherwise affect any existing laws concerning or in any way relating to beer, wines, spirituous, vinous, malt liquors, or other alcoholic beverages, and the sale thereof to persons under twenty-one (21) years of age.
Reference: Title 9, Subtitle 3, Chapter 25, Section 9-25-10
Another example would be California, which reduced the age of majority from 21 to 18 back in 1972. California went so far as to establish in their legislation at what minute an individual is no longer a minor.
Reference: CAL. WIC. CODE § 6500 : California Code - Section 6500
Quote:
6500. A minor is an individual who is under 18 years of age. The
period of minority is calculated from the first minute of the day on
which the individual is born to the same minute of the corresponding
day completing the period of minority.
6501. An adult is an individual who is 18 years of age or older.
And then there is a section similar to the age of majority legislation in Arkansas, explaining affect and effect on previous legislation. As follows:
Quote:
6502. (a) The use of or reference to the words "age of majority," "age of minority," "adult," "minor," or words of similar intent in
any instrument, order, transfer, or governmental communication made
in this state:
(1) Before March 4, 1972, makes reference to individuals 21 years of age and older, or younger than 21 years of age.
(2) On or after March 4, 1972, makes reference to individuals 18 years of age and older, or younger than 18 years of age.
The changes in legislation regarding the age of majority were as a general rule related an amendment to the constitution.The 26th amendment was ratified July 1, 1971. (This change effected the 14th amendment.)
Reference: The United States Constitution, Amendment #26.
Quote:
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
As for federal law, I didn't feel like digging, so I just grabbed a section with applicable wording:
Reference: 18 USC sec. 25
Quote:
Sec. 25. Use of minors in crimes of violence
(a)Definitions.—
In this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(2)Minor.—
The term "minor" means a person who has not reached 18 years of age...............
(b)Penalties.—
Any person who is 18 years of age or older, who intentionally uses a minor...