2486

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 473

CHAPTER 473

(House Bill 1652)

AN ACT concerning

Alcoholic Beverages Licenses - Free Food Exceptions

FOR the purpose of including free hors d'oeuvres among the
exceptions to the law that imposes a criminal penalty on
alcoholic beverages licensees for giving or offering free
food on the premises for certain purposes; and clarifying
language.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 2B - Alcoholic Beverages

Section 113

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1981 Replacement Volume and 1984 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 2B - Alcoholic Beverages

113.

Any person engaged in the sale or barter of spirituous, malt
or intoxicating liquors, and licensed under the laws of Maryland,
to engage in such sale or barter, who shall directly or
indirectly give or offer to anyone visiting the premises of such
licensed person, where spirituous, malt or intoxicating liquors
of any kind are sold or bartered, or offered for sale or barter,
any viands, food or lunch of any character, except as hereinafter
provided, for the purpose of inducing, procuring or influencing
the person to whom the same may be offered, to purchase in any
quantity, spirituous, malt or intoxicating liquor to be drunk on
the premises of such licensed person, shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, and on conviction, shall be punishable by a fine of
not more than [ten dollars ($10.00)] $10 for each offense;
provided, however, that this section [shall not] MAY NOT operate
to prohibit the placing on the counters of such licensed person,
HORS D'OEUVRES, pretzels, cheese or crackers for the use, without
cost thereto, of the patrons of such licensed person; and
provided further, that the placing by such licensed person of any
viands, food or lunch, other than hereinbefore excepted at any
place on his premises for the free use of his patrons, shall be
prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1985.