By Bob Katzen

Current law suspends the liquor license of and closes down for a period of time, any package store that is found guilty of selling to a minor or an intoxicated individual. However, in big box stores, supermarkets, gas stations and other places in which liquor sales are not their primary business, a violation results only in the closing of the liquor department.

A bill, sponsored by Rep. Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk), and given initial approval by the House, would amend current law so that the entire establishment, not just the liquor department, is closed down.

“This bill levels the playing field between small family-owned liquor stores and large corporate big box stores selling liquor,” said Howitt. “It will serve to tighten up the oversight for alcohol sales.”

Howitt continued, ”This bill was filed to strengthen public safety in our cities and towns because illegal alcohol sales have been on the rise due to relaxed regulations during and resulting from the pandemic. The bill also fixes an inadvertent disparity that has developed by reinstating uniform consequences and standards for all establishments licensed to sell alcoholic beverages who willfully violate important public safety regulations regarding alcohol sales to minors or intoxicated individuals. All retailers of alcoholic beverages will be treated equally regardless of whether the establishment is a supermarket, convenience store or package store.

FORTUNE TELLERS (H 475) – The House gave initial approval to legislation that would eliminate the current state law requiring that all fortune telling applicants must have lived in the city or town in which they are seeking their license to practice, for at least one continuous year prior to filing their application.

Supporters said the bill will remove an old law that has become antiquated and makes no sense.

“A municipal employee reached out to me several years back because she had discovered the residency requirement and thought it was a little odd,” said sponsor Rep. Susannah Whipps (U-Athol). “A coffee shop in her city was looking to have a tarot card reader, and as it turns out fortunetellers must be licensed in Massachusetts just as a barber or hairdresser would be and also the law requires residency in the community in which they practice. My bill removes the 1-year residency requirement. This law was most likely put in place to prevent grifters or con artists from coming into a town and scamming people.”