May 10, 2003 - Even if Gov. Ed Rendell agrees to repeal a law requiring more chaperones at some school events before prom season gets into full swing this weekend in Berks County, it will be too late to help the Sheraton Hotel Reading. 

General Manager James E. Bokosky blamed the stricter chaperone requirements at facilities that serve alcohol for costing the Wyomissing hotel three or four prom bookings this year. 

"We've had numerous proms that we've had in the past unfortunately go elsewhere because of the law that was in effect," Bokosky said. "It seriously was affecting us." 

The law that has been in effect for three months mandated that schools provide one chaperone at least 25 years old for every five minors at proms and other school-sponsored events in hotels and banquet halls that serve alcohol. 

But earlier this week the Legislature sent a bill to Rendell's desk that would repeal that mandate. Rendell still is reviewing the measure that would restore the previous standard of one adult chaperone for every 50 minors. 

Students from eight Berks schools -- including Reading High School -- will be attending proms this weekend. 

Reading High Principal Douglass G. Kauffman said the school's prom at the Inn at Reading in Wyomissing will not be affected if Rendell does not repeal the stricter chaperone provision. 

The hotel provided a letter a few weeks ago to district lawyers explaining that the facility was exempt from the stricter rules, Kauffman said. 

That's because 50 percent or more of its sales are food and non-alcoholic drinks, Kauffman said. 

"We're fine whether they change the law or don't change the law, according to the Inn at Reading," Kauffman said. 

Muhlenberg High School students will be going to the Sheraton Hotel Reading regardless of Rendell's decision, said Dr. Joseph S. Yarworth, superintendent. 

"We presume that common sense will prevail," Yarworth said. "The only things (beverages) that we serve are diet or regular or sweetened or un-sweetened." 

State liquor control agents will enforce whichever chaperone requirement is in effect, but state police Maj. Leonard McDonald said most of the bureau's work is driven by complaints. 

"I don't think we have specific plans to visit proms, absent complaints," said McDonald, bureau director. 

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