A civil liberties group says a town's plan to hold party hosts responsible for any illegal activities of guests would be unconstitutional.

The American Civil Liberties Union said in a Friday letter to State College that the proposed "nuisance gathering ordinance" slated for a hearing tonight "runs roughshod over and through well-established constitutional rights." If it is approved, the organization will entertain requests to challenge it in court, the ACLU letter said.

Under the proposal, the host of a gathering of 10 or more people could be subject to summary offense fines from $300 to $600 or 30 days in jail if the gathering results in certain illegal activities within 100 feet. They include excessive noise, fights, obscene conduct, underage drinking, public drunkenness, criminal mischief, drug-dealing or lewdness.

The ACLU called the ordinance "overbroad."

"You simply can't criminalize someone for just having a party," ACLU staff attorney Valerie Burch said.

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