SECTION 1. Section 3-4-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-4 entitled "Transportation of Beverages" is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-4-8. Unlawful sale and shipment. -- (a) It shall be unlawful for any person in the business of selling intoxicating beverages in another state or country to ship or cause to be shipped any intoxicating beverage directly to any Rhode Island resident who does not hold a valid wholesaler license issued by the State of Rhode Island. The foregoing shall not apply to any order for intoxicating beverages personally placed by the purchaser at the manufacturer's premises, for shipment to an address in Rhode Island for nonbusiness purpose. Any shipment of intoxicating beverages pursuant to this section shall contain the language: "Contains Alcohol, Adult Signature (over 21) Required for Delivery."

(b) [As enacted by P.L. 2001, ch. 314, section 1]Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall, for the first offense, be mailed a certified letter by the department ordering that person to cease and desist any shipments of intoxicating beverages to any Rhode Island residents; for the second offense the department shall assess a fine of five hundred dollars ($500); and for a third offense and each subsequent offense the department shall assess a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(b) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall, for the first offense, be mailed a certified letter by the department ordering that person to cease and desist any shipment of intoxicating beverages to Rhode Island residents and for each subsequent offense shall be fined one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500).

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.