The bill seeks to repeal Section 3-7-19 of the General Laws, which previously regulated the issuance of retail beverage licenses in proximity to schools and places of worship. The repealed section included restrictions on issuing certain retail licenses if the majority landowner within 200 feet objected or if the establishment was within 200 feet of a school or place of worship, with an extended distance of 500 feet in East Providence for retailer’s Class A licenses. The bill removes all text from the original section, including the definitions, restrictions, and specific exemptions for existing license holders and certain areas in Providence, Newport, Warren, and Bristol, where local licensing boards had the authority to exempt applicants from these restrictions.

Additionally, the bill eliminates various exemptions that allowed local licensing boards to authorize Class B licenses in specific locations despite general state restrictions. These deletions affect exemptions for sidewalk cafes near places of public worship in Newport, and for certain lots in Providence, Cranston, Pawtucket, Little Compton, Bristol, Smithfield, Tiverton, and Central Falls, as well as the transfer and renewal of licenses in Cranston and Smithfield. The bill also rescinds the authority of local boards and councils to exempt proposed retailer licenses at specified locations in Central Falls, Portsmouth, North Providence, Cranston, Smithfield, Providence, Middletown, East Greenwich, and Lincoln. The deletions indicate a move towards standardizing the application of state licensing provisions across these municipalities without special considerations.

Statutes affected:
7536: 3-7-19