SECTION 1. (a) Notwithstanding section 17 of chapter 138 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the licensing authority of the town of Canton may grant 5 additional licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages, or the sale of wines and malt beverages only, to be drunk on the premises pursuant to section 12. The licenses shall be subject to all of said chapter 138 except said section 17.

(b) The licensing authority shall not approve the transfer of a license granted pursuant to this act to: (a) any other person, partnership, corporation, LLC, organization or any other entity for a period of 3 years from the date of original issuance; or (b) any other location.

(c) If a license granted pursuant to this act is cancelled, revoked or no longer in use at the location of original issuance, the license shall be returned physically, with all of the legal rights, privileges and restrictions pertaining thereto, to the licensing authority and the licensing authority may then grant the license to a new applicant at the same location under the same conditions as specified in this act if the applicant files with the licensing authority a letter from the department of revenue and a letter from the department of unemployment assistance indicating that the license is in good standing with those departments and that all applicable taxes, fees and contributions have been paid.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage.