This bill amends Section 3-7-19 of the General Laws, which pertains to retail licenses, by adding new language that restricts the issuance of certain retail licenses for the sale of beverages within 200 feet of any school or place of worship, with an increased distance of 500 feet for the city of East Providence. It defines "private school" for the purposes of this restriction and provides exemptions for licenses issued before January 1, 1978, or for establishments that predate nearby schools or places of worship. Additionally, the bill grants authority to the boards of licenses in Providence, Newport, Warren, and Bristol to exempt proposed retailer licenses from these restrictions within specified areas.

The bill also outlines a series of location-specific exemptions across various cities and towns in Rhode Island, allowing retailers to obtain Class B, Class BV, Class C, Class I, Class BX, or Class BL licenses despite proximity to schools or places of worship, contingent upon being current in the payment of local and state taxes. A notable insertion in the bill allows the board of licenses of the city of Providence to exempt a proposed retailer with a Class BV license at 94 Carpenter Street, despite its proximity to restricted areas. The act will take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7841: 3-7-19