Bill Text: CT HB05151 | 2014 | General Assembly | Comm Sub
Bill Title: An Act Concerning Hookah Lounges.
Spectrum: Committee Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-04-16 - Tabled for the Calendar, House [HB05151 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2014-HB05151-Comm_Sub.html
General Assembly |
||
February Session, 2014 |
*_____HB05151JUD___041514____* |
AN ACT CONCERNING HOOKAH LOUNGES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2014) (a) For the purposes of this section:
(1) "Hookah lounge" means space, in a suitable and permanent building, kept, used, maintained, advertised and held out to the public as a place where hookahs or water pipes are regularly made available for use by the public;
(2) "Licensing authority" means the chief of police of the municipality or the chief executive officer of the town in which there is no police department; and
(3) "Operate" means to lease, rent or own space, in a suitable and permanent building, that is open pursuant to a valid certificate of occupancy.
(b) A licensing authority may grant a license to suitable persons to operate a hookah lounge within the limits of such municipality or town, and may suspend or revoke such license for good cause, which shall include, but not be limited to, failure to comply with any requirements for licensure specified by the licensing authority at the time of issuance.
(c) An application for such license shall be made in writing, under oath. The application shall contain: (1) The type of business to be engaged in, (2) the applicant's full name, age, and date and place of birth, (3) the applicant's residence addresses and places of employment within the preceding three years, (4) the applicant's present occupation, and (5) such additional information as the licensing authority deems necessary to investigate the qualifications, character, competency and integrity of the applicant. If the applicant is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or association, the application shall contain the information required by this subsection for each individual who is or will be an officer, shareholder, financial backer or creditor, other than a financial institution, of such entity or any other individual with a relationship to such entity similar to that of an officer, shareholder, financial backer or creditor.
(d) The person so licensed shall pay to the licensing authority a license fee of one hundred dollars, and fifty dollars per year thereafter for renewal of such license.
(e) Each such license shall (1) designate the place where the hookah lounge is to operate, (2) include the hours of operation, and (3) be in effect for one year unless sooner suspended or revoked by the licensing authority. Such license shall be displayed in a conspicuous location in the place where the hookah lounge operates.
(f) A hookah lounge shall be subject to inspection by the licensing authority or any person or persons designated by the licensing authority.
(g) The licensing authority shall grant or deny an application for a license not later than ninety days after the filing of such application with the licensing authority. A licensee seeking renewal of such license shall file an application for renewal at least sixty days before the expiration of such license and the licensing authority shall grant or deny such renewal not later than thirty days after the filing of such application for renewal. Failure of the licensing authority to act on such initial application or renewal application within the applicable period specified in this subsection shall be deemed to be a denial. The licensing authority may suspend, revoke or modify any license issued under this section at any time during the period of the license for good cause shown, upon notice to the licensee and following a hearing. The licensing authority shall hold any such hearing not later than five days after the date of issuance of such notice, and shall issue a decision not more than fourteen days after any hearing. Any person aggrieved by any action of the licensing authority in denying, suspending, revoking, modifying or refusing to renew a license pursuant to this section may appeal from such action to the Superior Court.
(h) Any person operating a hookah lounge without a license, or after notice that his or her license has been suspended or revoked, shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars. In the event of a continuing violation, each day of continuance shall be a separate and distinct offense.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: | ||
Section 1 |
October 1, 2014 |
New section |
PS |
Joint Favorable Subst. |
|
PD |
Joint Favorable |
|
JUD |
Joint Favorable |