You might soon be able to enjoy a beer while watching the latest summer blockbuster at your local movie theater.
House lawmakers signed off on a bill allowing theaters to buy a liquor license Thursday. A person would only be able to get one drink at a time and be limited to a maximum of two.
An amendment to the bill also requires the businesses to install security cameras in each theater and for serving counters to be separate from general concession stands.
Bill sponsor Rep. Quinn Johnson (D-Middletown) says there are further restrictions to make sure booze doesn’t get into underage hands.
"The scan magnetic strip of your drivers license are going to be utilized to make sure that you are 21-years-of-age or older, so no fake IDs. Florescent, tamperproof, non-reusable wristbands will be given,” said Johnson.
Johnson adds a Westown Movies in Middletown may even further separate those drinking from the rest of the public at times.
“They want to be able to, say on a football Sunday, to be able to rent out an actual movie theater to be able to actually have the football game there in that theater separate and that may be the only area that actually is selling [alcohol], or where it’s going to be consumed,” said Johnson.
The bill excludes smaller theaters, requiring each business to have at least 500 seats that can be spread out across different rooms.
Senators will address the issue next.
