Massachusetts alcohol laws

What Massachusetts has enacted on alcohol, what each law requires, and what the bills still moving would do. Massachusetts is one of 47 states that enacted an alcohol law in the 2025 and 2026 sessions.

Bills in scope
153bills in scope
Past committee
64past committee
Most recent action
29 October 2026most recent action

Alcohol laws enacted in Massachusetts

25 alcohol laws enacted in the Massachusetts Legislature in the 2025 and 2026 sessions, newest first. Each links to the legislature's own page.

  • H 5347An Act authorizing the town of Bourne to grant an additional license for the sale of alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 1 October 2026

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the Town of Bourne may grant one additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises to Sea State Foods, LLC, d/b/a Cataumet Fish, at 1360 Route 28A, Cataumet. The license is subject to all chapter 138 except section 17. The license cannot be transferred to another location.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 5546An Act authorizing the town of Southborough to grant an additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 1 October 2026

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the town of Southborough may grant one additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises to Costco Atlantic Liquors, Inc., d/b/a Costco Liquors, at 21 Coslin Drive. The license cannot be transferred to another location but may be granted to a new applicant at the same location if the applicant provides letters from the department of revenue and department of unemployment assistance.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 5097An Act authorizing the city of Salem to convert seasonal licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises to annual licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 16 September 2026

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the city of Salem may convert one seasonal license for Amazing Pizza LLC at 62 Wharf Street to an annual license for wine, malt beverages and cordials, and may convert one seasonal license for Maitland Farm LLC at 84 Derby Street to an annual license for all alcoholic beverages. Licenses cannot be transferred to other locations but may be granted to new applicants at the same location if they provide letters from the department of revenue and department of unemployment assistance.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 5351An Act authorizing charity alcohol auctionsEnacted 10 September 2026

    What it requires: Local licensing authorities in cities and towns that vote to authorize alcoholic beverage sales must grant temporary licenses to nonprofit charitable corporations organized under chapter 180 for on-premises sales not exceeding 10 consecutive calendar days, with no more than 2 licenses per calendar year, with all proceeds used for charitable purposes.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • S 2526An Act authorizing the town of Topsfield to convert 4 licenses for sale of wine and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises to 4 licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises and to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages in the containers less than 200 millilitersEnacted 10 September 2026

    What it requires: Holders of licenses granted by the select board of the town of Topsfield for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises must not sell, offer for sale, or otherwise distribute alcoholic beverages in containers less than 200 milliliters.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 5344An Act removing the seating capacity requirements of licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in the town of BelmontEnacted 4 September 2026

    What it requires: Restaurants holding licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in the town of Belmont may have any number of seats. The act removes previous seating capacity requirements that had specified minimum and maximum seat counts under prior legislation.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 5548An Act authorizing the town of Weston to grant an additional license for sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 4 September 2026

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the town of Weston may grant one additional license for sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises to Weston Breakfast, LLC at 31 Center Street. The license shall only be exercised in the dining room of a common victualler and other areas deemed reasonable by the licensing authority. The license cannot be transferred to another location.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 4813An Act authorizing the town of Milton to grant additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 31 July 2026

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the town of Milton may grant 5 additional licenses for sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on premises to establishments in specified economic development zones. Licenses must be marked with their zone designation and may only be exercised in dining rooms or public areas deemed appropriate by the licensing authority. Licenses cannot be transferred outside their initial zone.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • S 2628An Act providing for alcoholic beverage licenses in the town of BoltonEnacted 17 July 2026

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 4359An Act authorizing the town of Milford to convert a license for the sale of wine and malt beverages into a license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be consumed on the premisesEnacted 14 July 2026

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 5098An Act authorizing the city of Salem to grant an additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises upon the return of the license authorized in chapter 67 of the acts of 2008Enacted 14 July 2026

    What it requires: The licensing authority of Salem must grant an additional license for sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on premises to Gulu-Gulu Cafe at 247 Essex Street, subject to chapter 138 except section 17. The current licensee must return its existing wine, malt beverage, cordials and liqueurs licenses upon issuance of the new license.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 5096An Act relative to extending the timeframe within which the town of Southbridge may grant additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 30 June 2026

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 5478An Act authorizing municipalities to opt-in to a temporary pilot to extend the hours of liquor licenses and to allow for public consumption in designated districts in summer 2026Enacted 8 June 2026

    What it requires: Local licensing authorities in cities and towns may allow licensed establishments to sell alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption in designated districts and to sell on-premises for one additional hour until 3:00 a.m., both only from June 8, 2026 until July 31, 2026. Licensed establishments may not sell alcohol types beyond those permitted in their existing licenses.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 4006An Act authorizing the town of Dartmouth to grant an additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 26 May 2026

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the town of Dartmouth may grant one additional license for sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises to Lofberg Market Place, LLC, d/b/a Farm and Coast Market at 7-9 Bridge Street. The licensee must return its existing wine and malt beverages license upon issuance of the new license.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 4817An Act authorizing the town of Pembroke to grant one additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 21 May 2026

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the town of Pembroke may grant one additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises to South Shore Market and Deli at 256 Church Street. The license must be issued within 3 years of the act's effective date and is subject to all provisions of chapter 138 except section 17.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 4272An Act authorizing the town of Hudson to grant 1 additional license for the sale of wine and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 5 March 2026

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the town of Hudson may grant one additional license for the sale of wine and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises to Hudson Hives LLC at 45 Main Street, Suite 203. The license cannot be transferred to another location but may be granted to a new applicant at the same location if they provide letters from the department of revenue and department of unemployment assistance.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 4815An Act authorizing the select board of the town of Arlington to place upon a town ballot a question to increase the number of licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 19 February 2026

    What it does: Authorizes the select board of Arlington to place a ballot question at the 2026 town election asking voters whether to approve 2 additional licenses for off-premises alcoholic beverage sales, which may be issued if a majority votes yes.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 4814An Act authorizing the town of Westwood to reissue licenses for the sale of wine and malt beverages not to be drunk on the premises and grant licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 30 January 2026

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the town of Westwood may grant licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises to food stores with at least 20,000 square feet of retail floor area that carry specified food items. Licenses cannot be transferred to other locations but may be granted to new applicants if they provide letters from the department of revenue and department of unemployment assistance confirming good standing and payment of applicable taxes and fees.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 4657An Act authorizing the town of Scituate to issue four additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 12 January 2026

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the town of Scituate must convert two seasonal licenses to annual licenses for Salt Marsh Winery and Split Rock Scituate, and may grant two additional licenses for establishments in specified economic development zones. All licenses must be exercised only in dining rooms and must be issued within three years of the act's effective date.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 4287An Act authorizing the city known as the town of West Springfield to grant 4 additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 12 December 2025

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the town of West Springfield must grant 4 additional licenses for off-premises sale of all alcoholic beverages to specified businesses at designated locations. Licenses must be issued within 1 year of the act's effective date. Upon issuance of the license to KKK&P LLC, that licensee must return its existing wine and malt beverages license to the licensing authority.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 4282An Act authorizing the town of Palmer to grant additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beveragesEnacted 26 November 2025

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the town of Palmer may grant 5 additional licenses for sale of all alcoholic beverages: 3 for on-premises consumption and 2 for off-premises sale at specified locations. Licenses must be issued within 1 year of the act's effective date. Licensees must provide letters from the department of revenue and department of unemployment assistance showing good standing before transferring to a new applicant.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 4276An Act re-authorizing the town of Swansea to issue additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 24 October 2025

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the town of Swansea may grant up to 6 additional licenses for sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on premises within the Swansea Mall Redevelopment Area. Licenses must be marked with the redevelopment area designation and cannot be sold or transferred by licensees. All licenses must be issued not later than 3 years after the act's effective date.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 4273An Act authorizing the town of Maynard to grant an additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 16 October 2025

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the town of Maynard must grant one additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises to Maynard Corner Store LLC d/b/a Maynard Corner Store at 49 Walnut street. The licensee must return its existing wine and malt beverages license to the licensing authority upon issuance of the new license.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 360An Act relative to certain licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in the city of HolyokeEnacted 10 October 2025

    What it does: Amends chapter 301 of the acts of 2014 to allocate one license for all alcoholic beverages and two licenses for wines and malt beverages to be drunk on premises in the TOD West area of Holyoke, defined by specific street boundaries.

    Licensing and retail permits

  • H 3893An Act authorizing the town of Lexington to grant ten additional licenses for the sale of wine and malt beverages to be drunk on the premisesEnacted 26 September 2025

    What it requires: The licensing authority of the town of Lexington may grant 10 additional licenses for the sale of wine and malt beverages to be drunk on the premises: 1 each to Pinot's Palette, Galaray House Art Gallery, Lexington Venue Theater, and Fable Brewing at specified locations, and 6 to establishments in designated overlay districts. Licenses must be exercised only in dining rooms and approved public areas. Licenses granted under this act shall be issued within 3 years of the effective date.

    Licensing and retail permits

Alcohol in Massachusetts, by topic

Alcohol bills in Massachusetts

The bills not yet law, furthest along first, with what each would do.

25Enacted

39Past committee

7Active in committee

82Introduced or inactive

153 bills in scope

Past committee

25 of 39 shown

H 5700An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projectsPassed chamber

What it would do: Appropriates supplemental funds for fiscal year 2026 across state agencies and makes various statutory changes including regulations on synthetic media in elections, pharmacy benefit manager oversight, lottery fund allocation, and veteran benefits eligibility.

S 3234An Act authorizing the town of Millbury to grant additional liquor licensesPassed chamber

What it would do: Authorizes the town of Millbury to grant 6 additional all-alcoholic restaurant/club licenses for on-premises consumption: 2 licenses anywhere in town and 4 licenses specifically at the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley, 70 Worcester Providence Turnpike, subject to restrictions on transfer and renewal conditions.

S 3261An Act authorizing the city of Greenfield to grant an additional liquor license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premisesPassed chamber

What it would do: Authorizes the city of Greenfield to grant one additional license to Bear's Den and Gleason Ventures LLC at 5 Bank Row for sale of all alcoholic beverages to be consumed on premises, subject to restrictions on location transfer and conditions specified in the statute.

H 5343An Act authorizing the town of South Hadley to grant additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beveragesPassed chamber

What it would do: Authorizes the town of South Hadley licensing authority to grant 4 additional on-premises and 2 additional off-premises alcoholic beverage licenses to establishments in four designated economic development zones, subject to conditions and restrictions on transfer and renewal.

H 5691An Act further extending the time for issuing certain licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in the town of HanoverPassed committee

What it would do: Extends the deadline for issuing certain licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in the town of Hanover from 2026 to 2029.

H 5346An Act authorizing the City of Westfield to convert a seasonal license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk off premises to an annual license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk off premisesPassed chamber

What it would do: Authorizes Westfield's licensing authority to convert SHIVA LAXMI INC's seasonal off-premises alcoholic beverage license to an annual license at 54 Pleasant Street, subject to chapter 138 except sections 17 and 17B, and requires return of the wine and malt beverages license upon issuance.

S 2532An Act authorizing the town of Walpole to grant up to 2 additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premisesPassed chamber

What it would do: Authorizes the town of Walpole's licensing authority to grant 2 additional non-transferable licenses for off-premises sale of all alcoholic beverages to establishments in the Central Business District, subject to Chapter 138 of the General Laws except Section 17.

S 3094An Act authorizing the town of Foxborough to grant three additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premisesFloor vote

What it would do: Authorizes the Foxborough Select Board to grant three additional licenses for on-premises sale of all alcoholic beverages to business entities located within the Foxborough Center Overlay District, with returned licenses reissuable for a $5,000 fee.

S 3266An Act authorizing the town of Foxborough to grant three additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premisesPassed chamber

What it would do: Authorizes the select board of Foxborough to grant 3 additional licenses for sale of all alcoholic beverages to be consumed on premises, restricted to business entities in the Foxborough Center Overlay District, with a $5,000 reissuance fee if licenses are cancelled or revoked.

S 3112An Act authorizing municipalities to opt-in to a temporary pilot to extend the hours of liquor licenses and to allow for public consumption in designated districts in summer 2026Passed committee

What it would do: Allows municipalities to opt into a temporary pilot from June 1 through August 31, 2026 permitting licensed establishments to extend hours until 3:00 a.m. and sell alcohol for off-premises consumption in designated public districts.

H 5452An Act authorizing the town of Oxford to grant 2 additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premisesPassed committee

What it would do: Authorizes the town of Oxford to grant 2 additional licenses for off-premises sale of all alcoholic beverages in specified economic development zones, subject to conditions set by the licensing authority and all chapter 138 requirements except section 17.

H 5471An Act authorizing municipalities to opt-in to a temporary pilot to extend the hours of liquor licenses and to allow for public consumption in designated districts in summer 2026Floor vote

What it would do: Allows municipalities to opt into a pilot program from June 8 to July 31, 2026 permitting licensed establishments to sell alcohol for off-premises consumption in designated districts and to extend on-premises sales by one hour until 3:00 a.m.

S 2553An Act authorizing the town of Berkley to grant additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premisesPassed chamber

What it would do: Authorizes the town of Berkley's licensing authority to grant up to five additional licenses for on-premises consumption of all alcoholic beverages to establishments in the General Business District, notwithstanding state law limits, with licenses subject to reissuance if cancelled or revoked.

H 5339An Act authorizing the town of Ashland to grant 10 additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premisesPassed committee

What it would do: Authorizes the town of Ashland licensing authority to grant 10 additional licenses for on-premises alcoholic beverage sales: 3 in Downtown Redevelopment, 3 in Rt. 126 Redevelopment, and 4 in MBTA Zone, with restrictions on transfer and renewal conditions.

H 5271An Act to clarify the minimum age for the sale of adult-use products or servicesPassed committee

What it would do: Prohibits local authorities from enacting or enforcing generational bans or birth-date-based restrictions on the sale of products or services where the commonwealth has established a minimum legal age requirement, and voids any existing conflicting local ordinances.

H 5306An Act to ensure alcoholic beverages licensing economic opportunity and geographic equityPassed committee

What it would do: Adds a requirement that new off-premises alcoholic beverage licenses cannot be issued within 500 feet of existing off-premises licensees unless the local licensing authority determines in writing after a hearing that the new premises are not detrimental to public health, safety, and community welfare, effective January 1, 2027.

H 4206An Act modernizing the commonwealth’s cannabis lawsPassed chamber

What it would do: Establishes a Massachusetts cannabis control commission with 3 commissioners and creates a cannabis advisory board. Modernizes cannabis regulations including increasing personal possession limits to 2 ounces, establishing consumable CBD product taxation at 5.35%, regulating topical hemp products, and modifying marijuana establishment ownership limits.

S 2913An Act extending the time for the town of Boxford to grant 2 additional licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premisesPassed chamber
H 4561An Act authorizing the town of Cohasset to grant five additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premisesPassed chamber

What it would do: Authorizes the town of Cohasset to grant 5 additional licenses for on-premises consumption of all alcoholic beverages to establishments in three designated economic development zones, with licenses restricted to dining rooms and subject to conditions set by the licensing authority.

S 274An Act authorizing the town of Marshfield to grant additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beveragesPassed committee

What it would do: Authorizes the town of Marshfield to grant 6 additional alcoholic beverage licenses: 2 on-premises licenses to Don Bravo Mexican Grill and The Corner Café, 1 on-premises license in the Brant Rock Village Overlay District, and 3 off-premises licenses to Jackansons Package Store, Hubbards Cupboard, and Ocean Market & Liquor, with restrictions on transfers and 3-year issuance deadlines.

S 276An Act authorizing the town of Cohasset to issue five additional licenses for the sale of alcohol to be drunk on the premisesPassed committee

What it would do: Authorizes the Town of Cohasset's licensing authority to grant five additional licenses for on-premises alcohol sales under chapter 138 of the General Laws, notwithstanding section 17 restrictions. Returned or cancelled licenses may be reissued to new applicants.

H 4983An Act providing for earlier alcohol sales to be drunk on premises on SundaysPassed committee
S 1550An Act related to the risk of getting cancer due to the consumption of alcoholPassed committee

What it would do: Requires establishments selling alcoholic beverages to post a conspicuous warning sign in black boldface capital letters at least 48 point on yellow background stating that alcohol use causes breast, colon, esophagus, larynx, liver, mouth and throat cancers, with signs prepared and distributed by the commission.

S 279An Act returning liquor license control to municipalitiesPassed committee

What it would do: Amends Massachusetts liquor licensing law to return control of license numbers to municipalities rather than state limits, requires municipal plans for granting additional licenses after January 1, 2018, and makes licenses issued after July 1, 2016 non-transferable.

S 1940An Act relative to a local option excise on the sale of alcoholic beverages for municipal substance abuse prevention and public health programsPassed committee

What it would do: Allows cities and towns to impose a local excise tax of up to 2.00 percent on retail sales of alcoholic beverages not for on-premises consumption and on the alcoholic beverage portion of restaurant meals, with revenues deposited into a Municipal Substance Abuse Prevention and Public Health Fund.

Showing the 25 furthest along of 128. Subscribers see all of them, filtered and searchable. Bill titles link to the Massachusetts Legislature's own page.

What LawSignals covers

What counts as alcohol legislation

In scope: Direct-to-consumer shipping and delivery; three-tier, distribution and franchise; licensing and retail permits; excise taxes and fees; hemp and THC beverages; and underage sales and liability.

Questions

Does Massachusetts have an alcohol law?

Yes. Massachusetts enacted 25 alcohol laws in the 2025 and 2026 sessions, among them H 5347, H 5546 and H 5097. Each is listed on this page with what it requires.

Which alcohol bills are moving in Massachusetts?

39 bills not yet law have passed a committee or a chamber, the furthest along H 5700 (passed chamber), S 3234 (passed chamber) and S 3261 (passed chamber).

What does Massachusetts legislate on most in alcohol?

Licensing and retail permits (123 bills), Three-tier, distribution and franchise (7 bills) and Direct-to-consumer shipping and delivery (5 bills).

Are these summaries reviewed by a lawyer?

No. Which bills count as Alcohol bills, and the line on what each law requires or each bill would do, are drafted by software from the bill's own text and not reviewed by an attorney. Every bill links to the legislature's own record: read the text before relying on it. The list covers bills from the 2025 and 2026 sessions.

Other practice areas in Massachusetts

Alcohol legislation in other jurisdictions

52 more currently hold bills in this tracker

Know when Massachusetts's alcohol law changes

An alert when a bill moves, and one report a month on what changed in every state and Congress.

Track alcohol laws freeAbout the Alcohol and Beverage Tracker