The bill amends Section 3-7-19 of the General Laws, which pertains to the issuance of retail licenses for the sale of beverages. It specifies that Retailers’ Class B, C, N, and I licenses, as well as licenses under § 3-7-16.8, cannot be issued within 200 feet of any building if the majority landowner objects or within 200 feet of any school or place of worship, with an exception for the city of East Providence where Class A licenses cannot be issued within 500 feet of such institutions. The bill clarifies the definition of "private school" and provides exemptions for licenses issued before 1978 or for establishments that predate nearby schools or places of worship. Additionally, it allows for exemptions in certain areas of Providence, Newport, Warren, and Bristol, where the board of licenses may grant exemptions for retailer Class B, C, or I licenses despite the proximity restrictions.

The bill further details exemptions for retailer Class B and other specified licenses in various cities and towns, including Providence, Middletown, East Greenwich, Lincoln, Cumberland, Central Falls, Woonsocket, Westerly, and East Providence. These exemptions are specific to certain plat and lot numbers on tax assessment maps, allowing local governing bodies to exempt proposed retail establishments from the proximity restrictions to schools and places of worship after an application process. For example, in Providence, exemptions can be granted for proposed retailer’s Class B licenses at locations such as 100-102 Hope Street and 215 Dean Street. The bill also includes a specific exemption for a proposed retailer with a Class B or Class BV license at 225 Waterman Street in Providence, granting the city's board of licenses the authority to exempt this location from the proximity provisions. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage. No deletions from the current law are indicated, but insertions for new exemptions are included.

Statutes affected:
443  SUB A: 3-7-19
443: 3-7-19