Pa. House Bill aims to update liquor code relating to funerals

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Liquor Control Committee has moved House Bill 467, a bill that would change the liquor code as it relates to funeral services.

The PA General Assembly site lists House Bill 467 as “an Act amending the act of April 12, 1951, known as the Liquor Code, in licenses and regulations, liquor, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, further providing for sales by liquor licensees and restrictions, for retail dispensers’ restrictions on purchases and sales, for breweries and for unlawful acts relative to liquor, malt and brewed beverages and licensees.”

HB 467 is supported by the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association (PaTaverns), which helped raise awareness prior to the bill’s introduction. According to a release, HB 467 addresses an issue within the hospitality industry related to off-premise catering permits (OPCP) and funeral luncheons and dinners. The bill is part of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association’s 2025-26 legislative agenda to address outdated liquor codes that restrict small business bars, taverns, and licensed restaurants.

“Today, the Pennsylvania House Liquor Control Committee moved HB467 with all committee members voting in favor,” Chuck Moran, executive director of PaTaverns, said in a statement. “Sponsored by Rep. Dan Deasy, chair of the committee, this bill would make it easier for bars, taverns, and licensed restaurants with an off-premise catering permit to provide full services to help grieving families with funeral luncheons and dinners.

“Current liquor code requires off-premise catering permit holders to provide both law enforcement and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board with advanced notice when using the permit at an off-site location. The PLCB requires 14 days’ notice, while local police and liquor control enforcement must be given 7 days’ notice. Most of the time for events like weddings and awards banquets, this is reasonable. However, for funerals, it can be impossible,” added Moran.

In his co-sponsorship of the bill, Deasy wrote that in various cases, events occur in less time than seven days and do not allow the opportunity for a business to provide its full service or it creates scheduling obstacles for families.”

Moran said HB 467 would change the liquor code by providing an exemption for end-of-life off-premise catered events by allowing a 24-hour notice to the PLCB and local police. He added that the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association’s Board of Directors met with Rep. Deasy (D-Allegheny) last fall, raising awareness of the issue.

“This proposed liquor code change makes sense. It will reduce stress grieving families face after watching a loved one pass,” said Moran. “And, it opens the door for many small business bars, taverns, and licensed restaurants to provide more services within their communities.”