Sec. 17.5. (a) As used in this section, “banquet or gathering space” means a room or space in which social events are hosted that is located on the licensed premises of a hotel or restaurant, including a contiguous area of the licensed premises.

     (b) As used in this section, “social event” means a party, banquet, wedding or other reception, or any other social event.

     (c) Subject to subsections (d) and (f), the holder of a retailer’s permit issued for the premises of a hotel or restaurant that has a banquet or gathering space without a permanent bar over which alcoholic beverages may be sold or dispensed may temporarily amend the floor plans of the licensed premises to use the banquet or gathering space to sell, dispense, or securely store alcoholic beverages in the banquet or gathering space.

     (d) The holder of a retailer’s permit shall notify and submit the amended floor plans described in subsection (c) to the commission not later than twenty-four (24) hours before the date the holder intends to sell, dispense, or securely store alcoholic beverages.

     (e) A holder of a retailer’s permit who intends to:

(1) sell or dispense alcoholic beverages; or

(2) securely store alcoholic beverages;

as described in this section remains subject to laws and rules requiring that the area in which minors are allowed be separate from the room or area in which the bar is located.

     (f) If the holder of a retailer’s permit stores alcoholic beverages in a contiguous area of the licensed premises, the alcoholic beverages may be stored in any manner to keep or attain the holder’s preferred temperature for the alcoholic beverages, including refrigerating the alcoholic beverages.

     (g) The commission must approve amended floor plans that are consistent with the requirements of this section.

As added by P.L.133-2016, SEC.2; P.L.214-2016, SEC.20. Amended by P.L.270-2017, SEC.13.