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An Act To Amend the Laws Regarding On-premises and Off-premises Liquor Licenses
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 28-A MRSA §10, sub-§2-A, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 344, §1, is amended to read:
 
2-A. Access exception.   Notwithstanding subsection 2, there may be access between the 2 licensed areas by the public as provided by this subsection.
 
A. There may be access between the 2 licensed areas when there is a clear delineation of space, by a wall or permanent barrier that separates the 2 licensed areas and allows only one clearly defined and controlled point of access for patrons between the licensed establishments. The controlled point of access is not required to include a door that must be physically opened and closed.
 
B. When access between the 2 licensed areas exists for patrons of either establishment, all malt liquor and wine sold for on-premises consumption must be served by an employee of the licensed establishment and may be served only when accompanying a full meal prepared in a separate and complete kitchen on the premises. For the purposes of this paragraph, "full meal" means a diversified selection of food that cannot ordinarily be consumed without the use of tableware and cannot be conveniently consumed while standing or walking.
 
C. Malt liquor or wine sold or served on the premises may not be transported by a patron or employee of either establishment from one licensed area to another. The licensee shall ensure that easily readable signs are conspicuously posted to inform the public that transfer of alcoholic beverages from one licensed area to another is strictly prohibited.
 
This subsection is repealed September 30, 2015.
 
SUMMARY
This bill removes the provision in law that repeals the authority for a single location, under certain conditions, to have a license to sell beer and wine for on-premises consumption in one area of the establishment and a license to sell beer and wine for off-premises consumption in a separate area of the establishment.