Illegal after-hours alcohol sales and unlicensed liquor sales pose serious and recurring public safety concerns in communities across Pennsylvania. These activities can result in repeated police responses and may occur at locations with occupancy, fire, or other safety-code violations.

To provide law enforcement and prosecutors with clearer tools to address these violations, I will soon introduce legislation establishing graduated penalties for repeat offenses. The legislation would distinguish isolated violations from repeated unlawful liquor sales that warrant stronger enforcement.

The bill would also allow courts to consider aggravating circumstances when determining an appropriate penalty, including a documented connection to violent criminal conduct, repeated police responses to locations that lack adequate security measures, and other circumstances indicating a pattern of serious violations.
In addition, the legislation would authorize municipal law enforcement officers to enforce laws governing unlicensed liquor sales. This authority would supplement, not replace, the Bureau’s and Pennsylvania State Police’s primary enforcement roles.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to strengthen accountability and protect public safety in communities throughout Pennsylvania.