The bill amends Section 3-7-19 of the General Laws, which pertains to the issuance of retail licenses for the sale of beverages. It specifies that such licenses cannot be issued for buildings within 200 feet of any building where the majority landowner objects, or within 200 feet of any school or place of worship, with an increased distance of 500 feet for such institutions in East Providence. Exemptions are provided for licenses issued before January 1, 1978, and 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 certain proposed licenses from these restrictions.

The bill also allows for exemptions to be granted by various city and town licensing boards for retailer Class B and other specified classes of licenses in designated areas, despite proximity restrictions to schools and places of worship. These exemptions are detailed for specific tax assessor plats and lots in cities like Newport, Providence, Cranston, Pawtucket, and towns like Little Compton, Smithfield, and Portsmouth. The bill includes both insertions and deletions of legal language, with a notable insertion granting the Providence board of licenses the authority to exempt a proposed retailer Class BV license at 1230 Elmwood Avenue, Plat 089, Lot 210. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
8275: 3-7-19