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S 269

Establishes an electronic monitoring program for children diagnosed with developmental disabilities

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Harckham

Expands liquor sales to caterers by adding retailers licensed under section 15 to §12C, letting §15 licensees sell to caterers and clarifying licensing scope.

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Bill Summary · S 269

Summary — S.269 (Senate Docket No. 383)

Title: An Act relative to retail liquor sales to caterers
Introduced: January 28, 2025
Current status: Referred to committee(s); passed Senate with amendment (see timeline)
Primary sponsor (as printed on docket): Michael O. Moore (Second Worcester)

Text change (as printed): Section 12C of chapter 138 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is amended by inserting after the figure “18”, in line 15, the following words: “or a retailer licensed pursuant to section 15”.

Purpose / Intent

The bill’s stated aim (per its title and the amendment text) is to clarify or expand which retail licensees may engage in transactions governed by G.L. c. 138, §12C — specifically to include “a retailer licensed pursuant to section 15.” In practical terms, the measure appears intended to permit or explicitly authorize retailers holding the type of license described in section 15 to make retail liquor sales in contexts involving caterers (consistent with the bill title).

Key provision

  • Amends G.L. c. 138, §12C by inserting the phrase “or a retailer licensed pursuant to section 15” immediately after the figure “18” in the cited line. This is a narrow, technical amendment that expands the class of persons or entities referenced in §12C to explicitly include section‑15 retailers.

Who would be affected

  • Retailers licensed under G.L. c. 138, §15: would be newly or explicitly included within the scope of §12C’s rule(s) as amended.
  • Caterers and entities that purchase alcoholic beverages for catered events: could gain an additional or clarified source of retail purchases from §15 retailers.
  • Local licensing authorities and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC): would implement and enforce the clarified statutory scope.
  • Consumers could be indirectly affected if the change alters distribution channels, pricing, or availability for catered events.

Likely impact

  • Clarifies statutory authorization for retail sales to caterers by specifying that §15‑licensed retailers are covered by §12C. The operational impact depends on current administrative interpretation of §12C and §15; if a gap or ambiguity previously limited §15 retailers, this removes that uncertainty.
  • Minimal fiscal impact anticipated on the Commonwealth; potential modest commercial benefit to affected retailers and caterers.

Legislative timeline / procedural status (selected entries)

  • 01/13/2025: Filed as Senate Docket No. 383; introduced 01/28/2025.
  • Referred to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (and Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure in later notes).
  • 07/30/2025: Committee ordered to be reported favorably without amendment.
  • 09/19/2025: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent (amendment text in the nature of a substitute: CR S6798).
  • 10/08–10/10/2025: Message on Senate action sent to House; received in House; held at the desk.
  • 11/13/2025: Reported favorably by committee and referred to Senate Ways and Means.

Notes and cautions

  • The docket materials provided contain inconsistencies (for example, an opening line referencing an unrelated subject — “electronic monitoring program for children diagnosed with developmental disabilities” — and a sponsors list that includes federal officials). The authoritative source for the bill language, sponsors, and current status is the official Massachusetts Legislature website or the enrolled bill text. Readers should verify details there before acting on or citing this summary.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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