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Assembly Actions -
Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE |
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| Sep 16, 2009 |
signed chap.463 |
| Sep 04, 2009 |
delivered to governor |
| Jul 16, 2009 |
returned to assembly passed senate 3rd reading cal.922 substituted for s5578 |
| Jun 22, 2009 |
referred to rules delivered to senate passed assembly ordered to third reading rules cal.608 rules report cal.608 reported reported referred to rules |
| Jun 18, 2009 |
reported referred to codes |
| May 26, 2009 |
referred to economic development |
Assembly Bill A8518
Signed By Governor2009-2010 Legislative Session
Makes standards for various on premises liquor licenses consistent
download bill text pdfSponsored By
SCHIMMINGER
Archive: Last Bill Status - Signed by Governor
- Introduced
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- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
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- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
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- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- Delivered to Governor
- Signed By Governor
Actions
Votes
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Floor Vote: Jul 16, 2009
aye (40)- Adams
- Addabbo Jr.
- Alesi
- Aubertine
- Breslin
- Dilan
- Duane
- Espada
- Golden
- Hannon
- Hassell-Thompson
- Johnson
- Klein
- Krueger
- LaValle
- Leibell
- Marcellino
- Maziarz
- McDonald
- Montgomery
- Morahan
- Nozzolio
- Onorato
- Oppenheimer
- Padavan
- Parker
- Perkins
- Sampson
- Savino
- Schneiderman
- Serrano
- Seward
- Skelos
- Smith
- Stachowski
- Stavisky
- Stewart-Cousins
- Thompson
- Valesky
- Volker
nay (17)
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2009-A8518 (ACTIVE) - Details
- See Senate Version of this Bill:
- S5578
- Law Section:
- Alcoholic Beverage Control Law
- Laws Affected:
- Amd §§64 - 64-d, ABC L
2009-A8518 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER:A8518
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in
relation to making consistent the standards and procedures governing the
various on-premises liquor licenses with respect to 500-foot hearings
PURPOSE OF THE BILL: This bill would create consistent standards and
procedures governing the issuance of various on-premises liquor
licenses, and the conduct of 500-foot hearings, where required.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Sections 1 through 5 of the bill would
amend Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Law §§ 64(7), 64-a(7), 64-b(5),
64-c(11), 64-d(8) to establish a consistent standard with respect to
determining whether there are three or more licensed on-premises liquor
businesses already in operation within 500 feet of an unlicensed estab-
lishment for which a new on-premises liquor license is sought. Further,
these sections would establish consistent standards for the manner in
which measurements between the proposed premises and existing premises
are to be taken, and the manner in which notice is to be provided by the
State Liquor Authority (SLA) to the interested New York City community
board or local municipality.
Section 6 would provide for an immediate effective date.
EXISTING LAW: ABC Law § 64(7), which governs liquor licenses for restau-
rants, currently contains the most comprehensive standards regarding the
500 foot rule, the manner of measuring such rule, and the method of notice to be provided by the SLA to interested New York City community boards or local municipalities. JUSTIFICATION: The potentially adverse impact of a new restaurant upon residents of a neighborhood led to the adoption of the "500-foot rule" under ABC Law § 64(7) whereby no retail license for on-premises consump- tion at a restaurant shall be granted for any premises which shall be within five hundred feet of three of more existing premises licensed and operating. The SLA has the power to consider a number of factors when evaluating the merits of a new application for an on-premises liquor license, the number, classes and character of licenses in proximity to the location. The SLA shall provide notice to the applicant and the municipality or community board regarding a hearing to determine if a liquor license might be issued for a proposed new establishment located within 500 feet of three similarly licensed and operating premises. Unfortunately, the standards for measuring the proximity of nearby establishments and the method of notice to interested parties differ depending on the type of license being applied for (i.e. restaurant, tavern, bottle club, restaurant-brewer, or cabaret license). This bill establishes consistent standards and procedures governing the issuance of these various on-premises liquor licenses. All licensed and operating on-premises liquor establishments located within 500 feet of any premises for which a new on-premises liquor license is proposed should be counted when determining whether a 500-foot hearing should be held. Procedural inconsistencies should also be corrected. Currently, only ABC Law § 64(7) defines notice to the municipality or the community board as "written notice mailed by the authority to such municipality or community board at least 15 days in advance of any hearing scheduled." This definition should be incorporated into the tavern, bottle club, restaurant-brewer, and cabaret sections of the ABC Law (§§ 64-a, 64-b, 64-c, and 64-d). PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 2007-2008: A.11160/S.8210. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None. EFFECTIVE DATE: This legislation would take effect immediately.
2009-A8518 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8518
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
May 26, 2009
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SCHIMMINGER -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry
AN ACT to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to
making consistent the standards and procedures governing the various
on-premises liquor licenses with respect to 500-foot hearings
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivision 7 of section 64 of the alcoholic beverage
control law, as amended by chapter 177 of the laws of 1996, paragraph
(d-1) as added by chapter 406 of the laws of 2007, paragraph (e-1) as
added by chapter 497 of the laws of 2003, paragraph (e-2) as added by
chapter 21 of the laws of 2005, paragraph (e-3) as added by chapter 76
of the laws of 2007 and paragraph (f) as amended by chapter 602 of the
laws of 1999, is amended to read as follows:
7. No retail license for on-premises consumption shall be granted for
any premises which shall be
(a) on the same street or avenue and within two hundred feet of a
building occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other
place of worship or
(b) in a city, town or village having a population of twenty thousand
or more within five hundred feet of three or more existing premises
licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND
SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D
OF THIS ARTICLE;
(c) the measurements in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision are
to be taken in straight lines from the center of the nearest entrance of
the premises sought to be licensed to the center of the nearest entrance
of such school, church, synagogue or other place of worship or to the
center of the nearest entrance of each such premises licensed and oper-
ating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS
SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11173-01-9
A. 8518 2 ARTICLE; except, however, that no renewal license shall be denied because of such restriction to any premises so located which were main- tained as a bona fide hotel, restaurant, catering establishment or club on or prior to December fifth, nineteen hundred thirty-three; and, except that no license shall be denied to any premises at which a license under this chapter has been in existence continuously from a date prior to the date when a building on the same street or avenue and within two hundred feet of said premises has been occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship; and except that no license shall be denied to any premises, which is within five hundred feet of three or more existing premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE, at which a license under this chapter has been in existence continuously on or prior to November first, nineteen hundred ninety-three; and except that this subdivision shall not be deemed to restrict the issuance of a hotel liquor license to a building used as a hotel and in which a restaurant liquor license currently exists for premises which serve as a dining room for guests of the hotel and a caterer's license to a person using the permanent catering facilities of a church, synagogue or other place of worship pursuant to a written agreement between such person and the authorities in charge of such facilities. The liquor authority, in its discretion, may authorize the removal of any such licensed premises to a different location on the same street or avenue, within two hundred feet of said school, church, synagogue or other place of worship, provided that such new location is not within a closer distance to such school, church, synagogue or other place of worship. (d) Within the context of this subdivision, the word "entrance" shall mean a door of a school, of a house of worship, or OF premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE or of the premises sought to be licensed, regularly used to give ingress to students of the school, to the general public attending the place of worship, and to patrons or guests of the premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE or of the premises sought to be licensed, except that where a school or house of worship or premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE OR THE PREMISES SOUGHT TO BE LICENSED is set back from a public thoroughfare, the walkway or stairs leading to any such door shall be deemed an entrance; and the measurement shall be taken to the center of the walk- way or stairs at the point where it meets the building line or public thoroughfare. A door which has no exterior hardware, or which is used solely as an emergency or fire exit, or for maintenance purposes, or which leads directly to a part of a building not regularly used by the general public or patrons, is not deemed an "entrance". (d-1) Within the context of this subdivision, a building occupied as a place of worship does not cease to be "exclusively" occupied as a place of worship by incidental uses that are not of a nature to detract from the predominant character of the building as a place of worship, such uses which include, but which are not limited to: the conduct of legally authorized games of bingo or other games of chance held as a means of raising funds for the not-for-profit religious organization which conducts services at the place of worship or for other not-for-profit A. 8518 3 organizations or groups; use of the building for fund-raising perform- ances by or benefitting the not-for-profit religious organization which conducts services at the place of worship or other not-for-profit organ- izations or groups; the use of the building by other religious organiza- tions or groups for religious services or other purposes; the conduct of social activities by or for the benefit of the congregants; the use of the building for meetings held by organizations or groups providing bereavement counseling to persons having suffered the loss of a loved one, or providing advice or support for conditions or diseases includ- ing, but not limited to, alcoholism, drug addiction, cancer, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, or Alzheimer's disease; the use of the building for blood drives, health screenings, health information meet- ings, yoga classes, exercise classes or other activities intended to promote the health of the congregants or other persons; and use of the building by non-congregant members of the community for private social functions. The building occupied as a place of worship does not cease to be "exclusively" occupied as a place of worship where the not-for-profit religious organization occupying the place of worship accepts the payment of funds to defray costs related to another party's use of the building. (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter to the contrary, the authority may issue a license to sell liquor at retail to be consumed on premises to a club as such term is defined in subdivision nine of section three of this chapter whether or not the building in which the premises for which such license is to be issued is used exclu- sively for club purposes and whether or not such premises is within two hundred feet of a building used exclusively as a school, church, syna- gogue or place of worship if such club is affiliated or associated with such school, church, synagogue or place of worship and the governing body of such school, church, synagogue or other place of worship has filed written notice with the authority that it has no objection to the issuance of such license. (e-1) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivi- sion, the authority may issue a retail license for on-premises consump- tion for a premises which shall be within two hundred feet of a building occupied exclusively as a church, synagogue or other place of worship, provided such premises constitutes a premises for the sale of food or beverages at retail for consumption on the premises and/or an overnight lodging facility located wholly within the boundaries of the borough of Manhattan in the city and county of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the southerly side of 49th Street, distant 160 feet easterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the souther- ly side of 49th Street with the easterly side of 8th Avenue; running thence southerly, parallel with 8th Avenue and part of the distance through a party wall, 100 feet 5 inches to the center line of the block between 48th and 49th Streets; thence easterly along the center line of the block, 40 feet; thence northerly, parallel with 8th Avenue and part of the distance through a party wall, 100 feet 5 inches to the southerly side of 49th Street; thence westerly along the southerly side of 49th Street, 40 feet to the point or place of beginning. Premises known as 240 and 242 West 49th Street, New York City. Being the same premises described in deed made by Hotel Mayfair Inc. to Harry Etkin and Freda Rubin, dated 1/23/50 and recorded 1/27/50 in liber 4657 Cp. 250. (e-2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivi- sion, the authority may issue a retail license for on-premises consump- A. 8518 4 tion for a premises which shall be within two hundred feet of a building occupied exclusively as a church, synagogue or other place of worship, provided such premises constitutes a premises for the sale of food or beverages at retail for consumption on the premises located wholly with- in the boundaries of the county of Ulster, bounded and described as follows: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, with the buildings and improvements erected thereon, situated in the Village of Ellenville, Town of Wawarsing, County of Ulster and State of New York, being further bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a three-quarter inch diameter iron rod found on the southwesterly bounds of Canal Street, marking the northeasterly corner of the lands, now or formerly, John Georges, as described in liber 2645 of deeds at page 278. Thence along the southeasterly bounds of the lands of John Georges, passing 1.42 feet northwesterly from the southwesterly corner of the building situated on the premises described herein, South thirty-nine degrees, forty-one minutes, fifty-two seconds West, one hundred fifty and zero hundredths feet (S 39-41-52 W, 150.00') to the northeasterly bounds of the lands, now or formerly, Thomas Powers, as described in liber 1521 of deeds at page 749. Thence along the northeasterly bounds of the lands of Thomas Powers, South fifty degrees, thirty-nine minutes, sixteen seconds East, twenty-eight and zero hundredths feet (S 50-39-16 E, 28.00'). Thence passing 1.92 feet southeasterly from the southeasterly corner of the building situated on the premises described herein. North thir- ty-nine degrees, forty-one minutes, fifty-two seconds East, one hundred fifty and zero hundredths feet (N 39-41-52 E, 150.00') to the southwes- terly bounds of Canal Street. Thence along the southwesterly bounds of Canal Street, North fifty degrees, thirty-nine minutes, sixteen seconds West, twenty-eight and zero hundredths feet (N 50-39-16 W, 28.00') to the point of beginning. Containing 4,199.92 square feet of land or 0.0996 of an acre of land. Being the same premises as conveyed by deed dated September 2, 1999 from Chris M. Camio as Executor of the Last Will and Testament of Alice Manzo to Bill Lelbach, John Eckert, Jeffrey Schneider, Jack Harris and Alfred S. Dannhauser and recorded in the Ulster County Clerk's Office on September 15, 1999 in Liber 2966 at page 291. The undivided interests of John Harris and Alfred S. Dannhauser having been conveyed to Bill Lelbach by deed dated August 21, 2001 and recorded in the Ulster County Clerk's Office in Liber 3213 p 65. (e-3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivi- sion, the authority may issue a retail license for on-premises consump- tion for a premises which shall be within two hundred feet of a building occupied exclusively as a school, provided such premises constitutes a premises for the sale of food or beverages at retail for consumption on the premises and/or an overnight lodging facility located wholly within the boundaries of the borough of Manhattan in the city and county of New York, bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a point on the southerly side of 46th street, distant three hundred fifty (350) feet westerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the westerly side of Sixth Avenue with the said souther- ly side of 46th street. Running thence southerly parallel with the said westerly side of Sixth Avenue and for part of the distance through a party wall, one hundred (100) feet four (4) inches; thence westerly parallel with the southerly side of 46th street, eighty (80) feet; A. 8518 5 thence northerly again parallel with the westerly side of Sixth Avenue, one hundred (100) feet four (4) inches to the southerly side of 46th street; and thence easterly along the said southerly side of 46th street, eighty (80) feet to the point or place of beginning. Premises known as 130 West 46th Street, New York City. Being the same premises described in deed made by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company to West 46th Street Hotel, LLC, dated 12/22/06 and recorded 2/06/07 in the Office of the City Register, New York County, on February 6, 2007 as CFRN 2007000069808. (f) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b) of this subdivi- sion, the authority may issue a [retail license for on-premises consump- tion] LICENSE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION for a premises which shall be within five hundred feet of three or more existing premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE if, after consultation with the municipality or community board, it determines that granting such license would be in the public inter- est. Before it may issue any such license, the authority shall conduct a hearing, upon notice to the applicant and the municipality or community board, and shall state and file in its office its reasons therefor. Notice to the municipality or community board shall mean written notice mailed by the authority to such municipality or community board at least fifteen days in advance of any hearing scheduled pursuant to this para- graph. Upon the request of the authority, any municipality or community board may waive the fifteen day notice requirement. No premises having been granted a license pursuant to this section shall be denied a renewal of such license upon the grounds that such premises are within five hundred feet of a building or buildings wherein three or more prem- ises are [operating and licensed pursuant to this section] LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE. S 2. Subdivision 7 of section 64-a of the alcoholic beverage control law, as amended by chapter 177 of the laws of 1996 and paragraph (e) as added by chapter 406 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows: 7. (a) No special on-premises license shall be granted for any prem- ises which shall be (i) on the same street or avenue and within two hundred feet of a building occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship or (ii) in a city, town or village having a population of twenty thousand or more within five hundred feet of three or more existing premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE; (iii) the measurements in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph are to be taken in straight lines from the center of the nearest entrance of the premises sought to be licensed to the center of the nearest entrance of such school, church, synagogue or other place of worship or to the center of the nearest entrance of each such premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE; except that no license shall be denied to any premises at which a license under this chapter has been in existence continuously from a date prior to the date when a building on the same street or avenue and within two hundred feet of said premises has been occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship; A. 8518 6 and except that no license shall be denied to any premises, which is within five hundred feet of three or more existing premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE, at which a license under this chapter has been in existence continuously on or prior to November first, nineteen hundred ninety- three. THE LIQUOR AUTHORITY, IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY AUTHORIZE THE REMOVAL OF ANY SUCH LICENSED PREMISES TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION ON THE SAME STREET OR AVENUE, WITHIN TWO HUNDRED FEET OF SAID SCHOOL, CHURCH, SYNAGOGUE OR OTHER PLACE OF WORSHIP, PROVIDED THAT SUCH NEW LOCATION IS NOT WITHIN A CLOSER DISTANCE TO SUCH SCHOOL, CHURCH, SYNAGOGUE OR OTHER PLACE OF WORSHIP. (b) Within the context of this subdivision, the word "entrance" shall mean a door of a school, of a house of worship, or OF premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE or of the premises sought to be licensed, regularly used to give ingress to students of the school, to the general public attending the place of worship, and to patrons or guests of the premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE or of the premises sought to be licensed, except that where a school or house of worship or premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE OR THE PREMISES SOUGHT TO BE LICENSED is set back from a public thoroughfare, the walkway or stairs leading to any such door shall be deemed an entrance; and the measurement shall be taken to the center of the walk- way or stairs at the point where it meets the building line or public thoroughfare. A door which has no exterior hardware, or which is used solely as an emergency or fire exit, or for maintenance purposes, or which leads directly to a part of a building not regularly used by the general public or patrons, is not deemed an "entrance". (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subdivision, a special on-premises license for a premises in which the principal business shall be the operation of a legitimate theater by a corporation organized pursuant to the not-for-profit corporation law may be granted notwith- standing the proximity of such premises to any school, provided that the availability of alcoholic beverages on such premises shall not be adver- tised in any way at such premises in any manner visible from such street or avenue. (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, the authority may issue a [retail license for on-premises consumption] LICENSE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION for a premises which shall be within five hundred feet of three or more existing prem- ises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE if, after consultation with the municipality or communi- ty board, it determines that granting such license would be in the public interest. Before it may issue any such license, the authority shall conduct a hearing, upon notice to the applicant and the munici- pality or community board, and shall state and file in its office its reasons therefor. NOTICE TO THE MUNICIPALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD SHALL MEAN WRITTEN NOTICE MAILED BY THE AUTHORITY TO SUCH MUNICIPALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD AT LEAST FIFTEEN DAYS IN ADVANCE OF ANY HEARING SCHED- ULED PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH. UPON THE REQUEST OF THE AUTHORITY, ANY A. 8518 7 MUNICIPALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD MAY WAIVE THE FIFTEEN DAY NOTICE REQUIREMENT. No premises having been granted a license pursuant to this section shall be denied a renewal of such license upon the grounds that such premises are within five hundred feet of a building or buildings wherein three or more premises are [operating and licensed pursuant to this section] LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-B, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE. (e) Within the context of this subdivision, a building occupied as a place of worship does not cease to be "exclusively" occupied as a place of worship by incidental uses that are not of a nature to detract from the predominant character of the building as a place of worship, such uses which include, but which are not limited to: the conduct of legally authorized games of bingo or other games of chance held as a means of raising funds for the not-for-profit religious organization which conducts services at the place of worship or for other not-for-profit organizations or groups; use of the building for fund-raising perform- ances by or benefitting the not-for-profit religious organization which conducts services at the place of worship or other not-for-profit organ- izations or groups; the use of the building by other religious organiza- tions or groups for religious services or other purposes; the conduct of social activities by or for the benefit of the congregants; the use of the building for meetings held by organizations or groups providing bereavement counseling to persons having suffered the loss of a loved one, or providing advice or support for conditions or diseases includ- ing, but not limited to, alcoholism, drug addiction, cancer, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, or Alzheimer's disease; the use of the building for blood drives, health screenings, health information meet- ings, yoga classes, exercise classes or other activities intended to promote the health of the congregants or other persons; and use of the building by non-congregant members of the community for private social functions. The building occupied as a place of worship does not cease to be "exclusively" occupied as a place of worship where the not-for-profit religious organization occupying the place of worship accepts the payment of funds to defray costs related to another party's use of the building. S 3. Subdivision 5 of section 64-b of the alcoholic beverage control law, as amended by chapter 406 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows: 5. (a) No bottle club license shall be granted for any premises which shall be (I) on the same street or avenue and within two hundred feet of a building occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship; [the measurements to be taken in a straight line from the center of the nearest entrance of such school, church, synagogue or other place of worship to the center of the nearest entrance of the premises to be licensed;] OR (II) IN A CITY, TOWN OR VILLAGE HAVING A POPULATION OF TWENTY THOUSAND OR MORE WITHIN FIVE HUNDRED FEET OF THREE OR MORE EXISTING PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE; (III) THE MEASUREMENTS IN SUBPARAGRAPHS (I) AND (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH ARE TO BE TAKEN IN STRAIGHT LINES FROM THE CENTER OF THE NEAREST ENTRANCE OF THE PREMISES SOUGHT TO BE LICENSED TO THE CENTER OF THE NEAREST ENTRANCE OF SUCH SCHOOL, CHURCH, SYNAGOGUE OR OTHER PLACE OF WORSHIP OR TO THE CENTER OF THE NEAREST ENTRANCE OF EACH SUCH PREMISES A. 8518 8 LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE; except that no license shall be denied to any premises at which a license under this chapter has been in existence continuously from a date prior to the date when a building on the same street or avenue and within two hundred feet of said premises has been occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship; AND EXCEPT THAT NO LICENSE SHALL BE DENIED TO ANY PREMISES, WHICH IS WITHIN FIVE HUNDRED FEET OF THREE OR MORE EXISTING PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE, AT WHICH A LICENSE UNDER THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE CONTINUOUSLY ON OR PRIOR TO NOVEMBER FIRST, NINETEEN HUNDRED NINETY-THREE. THE LIQUOR AUTHORITY, IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY AUTHORIZE THE REMOVAL OF ANY SUCH LICENSED PREMISES TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION ON THE SAME STREET OR AVENUE, WITHIN TWO HUNDRED FEET OF SAID SCHOOL, CHURCH, SYNAGOGUE OR OTHER PLACE OF WORSHIP, PROVIDED THAT SUCH NEW LOCATION IS NOT WITHIN A CLOSER DISTANCE TO SUCH SCHOOL, CHURCH, SYNAGOGUE OR OTHER PLACE OF WORSHIP. (B) WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE WORD "ENTRANCE" SHALL MEAN A DOOR OF A SCHOOL, OF A HOUSE OF WORSHIP, OR OF PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE OR OF THE PREMISES SOUGHT TO BE LICENSED, REGULARLY USED TO GIVE INGRESS TO STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL, TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ATTENDING THE PLACE OF WORSHIP, AND TO PATRONS OR GUESTS OF THE PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE OR OF THE PREMISES SOUGHT TO BE LICENSED, EXCEPT THAT WHERE A SCHOOL OR HOUSE OF WORSHIP OR PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE OR THE PREMISES SOUGHT TO BE LICENSED IS SET BACK FROM A PUBLIC THOROUGHFARE, THE WALKWAY OR STAIRS LEADING TO ANY SUCH DOOR SHALL BE DEEMED AN ENTRANCE; AND THE MEASUREMENT SHALL BE TAKEN TO THE CENTER OF THE WALKWAY OR STAIRS AT THE POINT WHERE IT MEETS THE BUILDING LINE OR PUBLIC THOROUGHFARE. A DOOR WHICH HAS NO EXTERIOR HARDWARE, OR WHICH IS USED SOLELY AS AN EMERGENCY OR FIRE EXIT, OR FOR MAINTENANCE PURPOSES, OR WHICH LEADS DIRECTLY TO A PART OF A BUILDING NOT REGULARLY USED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR PATRONS, IS NOT DEEMED AN "ENTRANCE". (C) NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE AUTHORITY MAY ISSUE A LICENSE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION FOR A PREMISES WHICH SHALL BE WITHIN FIVE HUNDRED FEET OF THREE OR MORE EXISTING PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE IF, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE MUNICI- PALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD, IT DETERMINES THAT GRANTING SUCH LICENSE WOULD BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. BEFORE IT MAY ISSUE ANY SUCH LICENSE, THE AUTHORITY SHALL CONDUCT A HEARING, UPON NOTICE TO THE APPLICANT AND THE MUNICIPALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD, AND SHALL STATE AND FILE IN ITS OFFICE ITS REASONS THEREFOR. NOTICE TO THE MUNICIPALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD SHALL MEAN WRITTEN NOTICE MAILED BY THE AUTHORITY TO SUCH MUNICI- PALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD AT LEAST FIFTEEN DAYS IN ADVANCE OF ANY HEAR- ING SCHEDULED PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH. UPON THE REQUEST OF THE AUTHORITY, ANY MUNICIPALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD MAY WAIVE THE FIFTEEN DAY NOTICE REQUIREMENT. NO PREMISES HAVING BEEN GRANTED A LICENSE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE DENIED A RENEWAL OF SUCH LICENSE UPON THE GROUNDS THAT SUCH PREMISES ARE WITHIN FIVE HUNDRED FEET OF A BUILDING OR A. 8518 9 BUILDINGS WHEREIN THREE OR MORE PREMISES ARE LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-C, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE. [(b)] (D) Within the context of this subdivision, a building occupied as a place of worship does not cease to be "exclusively" occupied as a place of worship by incidental uses that are not of a nature to detract from the predominant character of the building as a place of worship, such uses which include, but which are not limited to: the conduct of legally authorized games of bingo or other games of chance held as a means of raising funds for the not-for-profit religious organization which conducts services at the place of worship or for other not-for- profit organizations or groups; use of the building for fund-raising performances by or benefitting the not-for-profit religious organization which conducts services at the place of worship or other not-for-profit organizations or groups; the use of the building by other religious organizations or groups for religious services or other purposes; the conduct of social activities by or for the benefit of the congregants; the use of the building for meetings held by organizations or groups providing bereavement counseling to persons having suffered the loss of a loved one, or providing advice or support for conditions or diseases including, but not limited to, alcoholism, drug addiction, cancer, cere- bral palsy, Parkinson's disease, or Alzheimer's disease; the use of the building for blood drives, health screenings, health information meet- ings, yoga classes, exercise classes or other activities intended to promote the health of the congregants or other persons; and use of the building by non-congregant members of the community for private social functions. The building occupied as a place of worship does not cease to be "exclusively" occupied as a place of worship where the not-for-profit religious organization occupying the place of worship accepts the payment of funds to defray costs related to another party's use of the building. S 4. Subdivision 11 of section 64-c of the alcoholic beverage control law, as added by chapter 538 of the laws of 1997 and paragraph (d) as added by chapter 406 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows: 11. (a) No restaurant-brewer license shall be granted for any premises which shall be: (i) on the same street or avenue and within two hundred feet of a building occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship; or (ii) in a city, town or village having a population of twenty thousand or more within five hundred feet of three or more existing premises licensed and operating pursuant to the provisions of this section or [section] SECTIONS sixty-four [or], sixty-four-a, SIXTY-FOUR-B AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D of this article; or (iii) the measurements in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph are to be taken in straight lines from the center of the nearest entrance of the premises sought to be licensed to the center of the nearest entrance of such school, church, synagogue or other place of worship or to the center of the nearest entrance of each such premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE; except that no license shall be denied to any premises at which a license under this chapter has been in existence continuously from a date prior to the date when a building on the same street or avenue and within two hundred feet of said premises has been occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship and A. 8518 10 except that no license shall be denied to any premises, which is within five hundred feet of three or more existing premises licensed and oper- ating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section [or section] AND SECTIONS sixty-four [or], sixty-four-a, SIXTY-FOUR-B AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D of this article, at which a license under this chapter has been in existence continuously on or prior to November first, nineteen hundred ninety-three. (b) Within the context of this subdivision, the word "entrance" shall mean a door of a school, of a house of worship, or premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTI- CLE or of the premises sought to be licensed, regularly used to give ingress to students of the school, to the general public attending the place of worship, and to patrons or guests of the premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTI- CLE or of the premises sought to be licensed, except that where a school or house of worship or premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D OF THIS ARTICLE is set back from a public thoroughfare, the walkway or stairs leading to any such door shall be deemed an entrance; and the measurement shall be taken to the center of the walkway or stairs at the point where it meets the building line or public thoroughfare. A door which has no exterior hardware, or which is used solely as an emergency or fire exit, or for maintenance purposes, or which leads directly to a part of a building not regularly used by the general public or patrons, is not deemed an "entrance". (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, the authority may issue a license pursuant to this section FOR A PREMISES which shall be within five hundred feet of three or more existing premises licensed and operating pursuant to [the provisions of] this section [or section sixty-four or sixty-four-a] AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D of this article if, after consultation with the municipality or community board, it determines that granting such license would be in the public interest. Before it may issue any such license, the authority shall conduct a hearing, upon notice to the applicant and the municipality or community board, and shall state and file in its office its reasons therefor. NOTICE TO THE MUNICIPALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD SHALL MEAN WRITTEN NOTICE MAILED BY THE AUTHORITY TO SUCH MUNICIPALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD AT LEAST FIFTEEN DAYS IN ADVANCE OF ANY HEARING SCHEDULED PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH. UPON THE REQUEST OF THE AUTHORITY, ANY MUNICIPALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD MAY WAIVE THE FIFTEEN DAY NOTICE REQUIREMENT. No premises having been granted a license pursuant to this section shall be denied a renewal of such license upon the grounds that such premises are within five hundred feet of a building or buildings [where] WHEREIN three or more premises are operating and licensed pursuant to this section or [section] SECTIONS sixty-four [or], sixty-four-a, SIXTY-FOUR-B AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-D of this article. (d) Within the context of this subdivision, a building occupied as a place of worship does not cease to be "exclusively" occupied as a place of worship by incidental uses that are not of a nature to detract from the predominant character of the building as a place of worship, such uses which include, but which are not limited to: the conduct of legally authorized games of bingo or other games of chance held as a means of raising funds for the not-for-profit religious organization which A. 8518 11 conducts services at the place of worship or for other not-for-profit organizations or groups; use of the building for fund-raising perform- ances by or benefitting the not-for-profit religious organization which conducts services at the place of worship or other not-for-profit organ- izations or groups; the use of the building by other religious organiza- tions or groups for religious services or other purposes; the conduct of social activities by or for the benefit of the congregants; the use of the building for meetings held by organizations or groups providing bereavement counseling to persons having suffered the loss of a loved one, or providing advice or support for conditions or diseases includ- ing, but not limited to, alcoholism, drug addiction, cancer, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, or Alzheimer's disease; the use of the building for blood drives, health screenings, health information meet- ings, yoga classes, exercise classes or other activities intended to promote the health of the congregants or other persons; and use of the building by non-congregant members of the community for private social functions. The building occupied as a place of worship does not cease to be "exclusively" occupied as a place of worship where the not-for-profit religious organization occupying the place of worship accepts the payment of funds to defray costs related to another party's use of the building. S 5. Subdivision 8 of section 64-d of the alcoholic beverage control law, as amended by chapter 406 of the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows: 8. No cabaret license shall be granted for any premises which shall be: (a) on the same street or avenue and within two hundred feet of a building occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship or (b) in a city, town or village having a population of twenty thousand or more within five hundred feet of an existing premises licensed and operating pursuant to the provisions of this section, or within five hundred feet of three or more existing premises licensed and operating pursuant to THIS SECTION AND sections sixty-four [and sixty-four-c of this article], SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-C OF THIS ARTICLE. (c) [The measurements in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of subdivision seven of section sixty-four of this article.] THE MEASUREMENTS IN PARAGRAPHS (A) AND (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION ARE TO BE TAKEN IN STRAIGHT LINES FROM THE CENTER OF THE NEAREST ENTRANCE OF THE PREMISES SOUGHT TO BE LICENSED TO THE CENTER OF THE NEAREST ENTRANCE OF SUCH SCHOOL, CHURCH, SYNAGOGUE OR OTHER PLACE OF WORSHIP OR TO THE CENTER OF THE NEAREST ENTRANCE OF EACH SUCH PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-C OF THIS ARTICLE; EXCEPT THAT NO LICENSE SHALL BE DENIED TO ANY PREMISES AT WHICH A LICENSE UNDER THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE CONTINUOUSLY FROM A DATE PRIOR TO THE DATE WHEN A BUILDING ON THE SAME STREET OR AVENUE AND WITHIN TWO HUNDRED FEET OF SAID PREMISES HAS BEEN OCCUPIED EXCLUSIVELY AS A SCHOOL, CHURCH, SYNAGOGUE OR OTHER PLACE OF WORSHIP; AND EXCEPT THAT NO LICENSE SHALL BE DENIED TO ANY PREMISES, WHICH IS WITHIN FIVE HUNDRED FEET OF AN EXISTING PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION OR WHICH IS WITHIN FIVE HUNDRED FEET OF THREE OR MORE EXISTING PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-C OF THIS ARTICLE, AT WHICH A LICENSE A. 8518 12 UNDER THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE CONTINUOUSLY ON OR PRIOR TO NOVEMBER FIRST, NINETEEN HUNDRED NINETY-THREE. THE LIQUOR AUTHORITY, IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY AUTHORIZE THE REMOVAL OF ANY SUCH LICENSED PREMISES TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION ON THE SAME STREET OR AVENUE, WITHIN TWO HUNDRED FEET OF SAID SCHOOL, CHURCH, SYNAGOGUE OR OTHER PLACE OF WORSHIP, PROVIDED THAT SUCH NEW LOCATION IS NOT WITHIN A CLOSER DISTANCE TO SUCH SCHOOL, CHURCH, SYNAGOGUE OR OTHER PLACE OF WORSHIP. (D) WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE WORD "ENTRANCE" SHALL MEAN A DOOR OF A SCHOOL, OF A HOUSE OF WORSHIP, OR OF PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-C OF THIS ARTICLE OR OF THE PREMISES SOUGHT TO BE LICENSED, REGULARLY USED TO GIVE INGRESS TO STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL, TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ATTENDING THE PLACE OF WORSHIP, AND TO PATRONS OR GUESTS OF THE PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-C OF THIS ARTICLE OR OF THE PREMISES SOUGHT TO BE LICENSED, EXCEPT THAT WHERE A SCHOOL OR HOUSE OF WORSHIP OR PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-C OF THIS ARTICLE OR THE PREMISES SOUGHT TO BE LICENSED IS SET BACK FROM A PUBLIC THOROUGHFARE, THE WALKWAY OR STAIRS LEADING TO ANY SUCH DOOR SHALL BE DEEMED AN ENTRANCE; AND THE MEASUREMENT SHALL BE TAKEN TO THE CENTER OF THE WALKWAY OR STAIRS AT THE POINT WHERE IT MEETS THE BUILDING LINE OR PUBLIC THOROUGHFARE. A DOOR WHICH HAS NO EXTERIOR HARDWARE, OR WHICH IS USED SOLELY AS AN EMERGENCY OR FIRE EXIT, OR FOR MAINTENANCE PURPOSES, OR WHICH LEADS DIRECTLY TO A PART OF A BUILDING NOT REGULARLY USED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR PATRONS, IS NOT DEEMED AN "ENTRANCE". (E) NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVI- SION, THE AUTHORITY MAY ISSUE A LICENSE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION FOR A PREMISES WHICH SHALL BE WITHIN FIVE HUNDRED FEET OF AN EXISTING PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION OR WITHIN FIVE HUNDRED FEET OF THREE OR MORE EXISTING PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-C OF THIS ARTICLE IF, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE MUNICIPALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD, IT DETER- MINES THAT GRANTING SUCH LICENSE WOULD BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. BEFORE IT MAY ISSUE ANY SUCH LICENSE, THE AUTHORITY SHALL CONDUCT A HEARING, UPON NOTICE TO THE APPLICANT AND THE MUNICIPALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD, AND SHALL STATE AND FILE IN ITS OFFICE ITS REASONS THEREFOR. NOTICE TO THE MUNICIPALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD SHALL MEAN WRITTEN NOTICE MAILED BY THE AUTHORITY TO SUCH MUNICIPALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD AT LEAST FIFTEEN DAYS IN ADVANCE OF ANY HEARING SCHEDULED PURSUANT TO THIS PARA- GRAPH. UPON THE REQUEST OF THE AUTHORITY, ANY MUNICIPALITY OR COMMUNITY BOARD MAY WAIVE THE FIFTEEN DAY NOTICE REQUIREMENT. NO PREMISES HAVING BEEN GRANTED A LICENSE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE DENIED A RENEWAL OF SUCH LICENSE UPON THE GROUNDS THAT SUCH PREMISES ARE WITHIN FIVE HUNDRED FEET OF AN EXISTING PREMISES LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSU- ANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION OR WITHIN FIVE HUNDRED FEET OF A BUILDING OR BUILDINGS WHEREIN THREE OR MORE PREMISES ARE LICENSED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS SIXTY-FOUR, SIXTY-FOUR-A, SIXTY-FOUR-B, AND/OR SIXTY-FOUR-C OF THIS ARTICLE. [(d)] (F) Within the context of this subdivision, a building occupied as a place of worship does not cease to be "exclusively" occupied as a place of worship by incidental uses that are not of a nature to detract from the predominant character of the building as a place of worship, such uses which include, but which are not limited to: the conduct of A. 8518 13 legally authorized games of bingo or other games of chance held as a means of raising funds for the not-for-profit religious organization which conducts services at the place of worship or for other not-for- profit organizations or groups; use of the building for fund-raising performances by or benefitting the not-for-profit religious organization which conducts services at the place of worship or other not-for-profit organizations or groups; the use of the building by other religious organizations or groups for religious services or other purposes; the conduct of social activities by or for the benefit of the congregants; the use of the building for meetings held by organizations or groups providing bereavement counseling to persons having suffered the loss of a loved one, or providing advice or support for conditions or diseases including, but not limited to, alcoholism, drug addiction, cancer, cere- bral palsy, Parkinson's disease, or Alzheimer's disease; the use of the building for blood drives, health screenings, health information meet- ings, yoga classes, exercise classes or other activities intended to promote the health of the congregants or other persons; and use of the building by non-congregant members of the community for private social functions. The building occupied as a place of worship does not cease to be "exclusively" occupied as a place of worship where the not-for-profit religious organization occupying the place of worship accepts the payment of funds to defray costs related to another party's use of the building. S 6. This act shall take effect immediately.
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