House committee advances Deasy bill for more flexible catering rules for memorial services

Rep. Dan Deasy March 18, 2025 | 10:29 AM

HARRISBURG, March 18 – A bill providing more flexibility for off-site catering of end-of-life memorials has passed the House Liquor Control Committee, according to the bill sponsor and committee chairman state Rep. Dan Deasy, D-Allegheny.

“When a loved one passes away, we celebrate and honor their life,” Deasy said. “These celebrations are different for everyone but oftentimes, they are catered events with food and drink. They also may happen within days of the loved one’s passing and timing can be unexpected. Off-premise catering permits allow liquor licenses the flexibility in catering off-site locations.”

Deasy said the current seven-day notification rule to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board poses challenges. As these events can occur in less time than seven days, the current law does not allow the opportunity for a business to provide its full service, and it creates scheduling obstacles for families.

House Bill 467 would allow eligible licensees to use an off-premise catering permit for an end-of-life memorial event upon 24 hours’ notice.

“Families are under enough strain without having to worry whether the business they decide to cater with has provided a weeks’ notice,” Deasy said.

The bill now goes to the full House for approval.

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