The bill amends Section 3-7-14.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-7 entitled "Retail Licenses" to introduce new provisions for Class P licenses, which are designated for caterers. The amendment allows caterers to apply for a Class P license from the department of business regulation, which will be recognized statewide without the need for additional licenses or taxes from individual cities or towns. The annual fee for the license is set at $500. The bill specifies regulations for serving alcoholic beverages, including age identification requirements, a limit of two drinks per individual at a time, prohibition of service to visibly intoxicated individuals, a five-hour serving limit per event, and the exclusion of shots or triple drinks. Additionally, the bill stipulates that only the licensee or their employees may serve alcohol, and caterers must deliver and remove alcoholic beverages to and from events, unless the alcohol is provided by the event host at their residence and remains under the caterer's control.

The bill also includes changes to the purchasing regulations for alcoholic beverages by licensees. It allows the purchase of alcoholic beverages from either retail or wholesale establishments located in the state, with the new insertion that wholesalers may refuse orders or set minimum quantities or dollar values per order. The deletion in the bill removes the provision that allowed licensees with a Class B license to purchase alcoholic beverages at wholesale. Violations of the regulations are subject to a $500 fine and potential license revocation. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
217: 3-7-14.2