The bill amends Section 3-7-14.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-7, which pertains to "Retail Licenses," by establishing a Class P license specifically for caterers. This license allows caterers, who are licensed by the department of health and the division of taxation, to apply for a state license from the department of business regulation. The license will be valid statewide, eliminating the need for additional local licenses or taxes. Caterers will be required to pay an annual fee of $500 and adhere to specific regulations regarding the service of alcoholic beverages, including age verification, drink limits, and service duration. Notably, the bill allows caterers to serve alcoholic beverages provided by the event host at their residence, as long as the alcohol is under the control of the caterer for the entire period of time the caterer is onsite.

Additionally, the bill modifies the purchasing requirements for alcoholic beverages, permitting Class P license holders to purchase from both retail and wholesale establishments within the state. It removes the previous restriction that only allowed those with a Class B license to purchase wholesale. The bill also grants wholesalers the authority to refuse to fulfill orders permitted under this section or to set minimum quantities or dollar values per order. Violations of the provisions outlined in the bill can result in fines and potential license revocation. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2508: 3-7-14.2