Mass. Bill Would Allow Sunday Morning Liquor Sales

BOSTON (CBS) --- Lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow liquor stores to sell alcohol earlier on Sundays.

This month, the House approved the bill that would legalize Sunday morning liquor sales at 10 a.m., rather than noontime. The bill now goes before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules.

Proponents of the bill say allowing for earlier liquor sales would help the state. Currently, liquor stores open at 6 a.m. in New Hampshire and Vermont and at 10 a.m. in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Restrictions on Sunday liquor sales are part of Massachusetts Blue Laws which date back to Colonial times when Sunday was considered a day of rest.

Over the last 20 years, the state has gradually relaxed its stance on Sunday sales, first allowing for limited Sunday sales the week before the Christmas and the Sunday after New Year's Day. In 1990, liquor sales were allowed at Mass. stores near the New Hampshire border, starting at noon.

In 2003, all liquor stores were able to open at noon on Sundays.

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