The bill proposes the repeal of Section 3-7-19 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-7, which currently restricts the issuance of certain retail liquor licenses (Class B, C, N, and I) based on their proximity to schools and places of worship. Specifically, it eliminates the prohibition against issuing these licenses if there are objections from property owners within 200 feet or if the establishment is located within 200 feet of a public, private, or parochial school or a place of public worship.

In place of this section, a new section titled "3-7-19. Objection by adjoining property owners Proximity to schools and churches" is introduced, which does not include the previous restrictions. The bill also grants city and town councils, as well as boards of licenses, the authority to exempt certain proposed retailer licenses (Class B, Class BV, Class C, Class I, and Class BL) from existing regulations, allowing for a more flexible licensing framework.

This includes specific exemptions for licenses intended for locations in various municipalities, contingent upon an application process. The bill deletes previous provisions that outlined specific exemptions for various retailers' licenses, streamlining the process and consolidating the authority to grant exemptions. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
917: 3-7-19