2023 -- H 5854

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LC002214

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

     Introduced By: Representatives Cardillo, Phillips, J. Brien, Rea, and Sanchez

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2023

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 3-7-14.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-7 entitled "Retail

Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     3-7-14.2. Class P licenses — Caterers.

     (a) A caterer licensed by the department of health and the division of taxation shall be

eligible to apply for a Class P license from the department of business regulation. The department

of business regulation is authorized to issue all caterers’ licenses. The license will be valid

throughout this state as a state license and no further license will be required or tax imposed by any

city or town upon this alcoholic beverage privilege. Each caterer to which the license is issued shall

pay to the department of business regulation an annual fee of five hundred dollars ($500) for the

license, which fees are paid into the state treasury. The department is authorized to promulgate

rules and regulations for the implementation of this license. In promulgating said rules, the

department shall include, but is not limited to, the following standards:

     (1) Proper identification will be required for individuals who look thirty (30) years old or

younger and who are ordering alcoholic beverages;

     (2) Only valid ID’s as defined by these titles are acceptable;

     (3) An individual may not be served more than two (2) drinks at a time;

     (4) Licensees, their agents, or employees will not serve visibly intoxicated individuals;

     (5) Licensees may only serve alcoholic beverages for no more than a five-hour (5) period

per event;

     (6) Only a licensee, or its employees, may serve alcoholic beverages at the event;

     (7) The licensee will deliver and remove alcoholic beverages to the event unless provided

by the event host at their residence and the alcohol is under the control of a caterer for the entire

period of time the caterer is on site; and

     (8) No shots or triple alcoholic drinks will be served.

     (b) Any bartender employed by the licensee shall be certified by a nationally recognized

alcohol beverage server training program.

     (c) The licensee shall purchase at retail or wholesale all alcoholic beverages from a licensed

Class A alcohol retail or wholesale establishment which is located in the state, provided, however,

any licensee who also holds a Class B license, issued pursuant to the provisions of § 3-7-7, shall be

allowed to purchase alcoholic beverages at wholesale. Wholesalers may refuse to fill orders

permitted under this section, or may set minimum quantities or dollar values per order. Any person

violating this section shall be fined five hundred dollars ($500) for this violation and shall be subject

to license revocation. The provisions of this section shall be enforced in accordance with this title.

     (d) Violation of subsection (a) of this section is punishable upon conviction by a fine of

not more than five hundred dollars ($500). Fines imposed under this section shall be paid to the

department of business regulation.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- RETAIL LICENSES

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     This act would allow holders of a Class P license to purchase alcoholic beverages from

either a Class A alcohol retail or wholesale establishment in the State of Rhode Island and permit

wholesalers to refuse to fill orders, set minimum quantities or minimum dollar amounts as a

requirement of filling an order.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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