Repeals § 3-7-19 which prohibits retail liquor licenses within two hundred feet (200') of schools and religious institutions.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would remove an existing Rhode Island law that currently prevents liquor stores and other businesses with retail liquor licenses from operating within 200 feet of a school or religious institution (such as a church, mosque, or synagogue). Right now, that distance restriction acts as a protected buffer zone — if a business wants to sell alcohol at retail and is located too close to one of these locations, they cannot receive a license to do so. This bill would eliminate that rule entirely.

If passed, local licensing boards would no longer be required to automatically deny a retail liquor license based on how close a business is to a school or place of worship. Businesses that were previously blocked from obtaining a liquor license solely because of their location near these institutions could become eligible to apply. It's worth noting that local cities and towns in Rhode Island may still have their own separate rules or zoning regulations that could address similar concerns.

This change would affect a range of people and organizations — including business owners who want to sell alcohol near schools or religious buildings, school communities, religious congregations, and local licensing authorities. The bill has been introduced and sent to the Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.