When serving alcohol to minors, what is a good practice for ensuring compliance with laws?

Requesting valid identification is a critical practice for ensuring compliance with laws regarding the serving of alcohol to minors. Identification serves as a reliable method to verify a patron's age and confirm that they are of legal drinking age, which helps prevent underage consumption. By asking for ID, servers can adhere to laws designed to protect minors from the potential dangers associated with alcohol consumption.

Effective age verification is not just about compliance; it also reflects the establishment's commitment to responsible service. Laws regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol are in place to ensure safety and ensure the well-being of young people. Valid identification can include driver's licenses, state-issued IDs, or passports, all of which provide clear evidence of a person's age.

The other options may not effectively address age compliance. Serving alcohol only during lunch hours, requiring a parent’s presence, or offering free samples does not inherently ensure that customers are of legal drinking age and could still result in violations of alcohol laws.