Restaurants and bars can now deliver alcohol to customers through delivery apps, purchase new liquor licenses, sell alcohol on Sundays in addition to other changes, according to a new Ohio law. 

House Bill 674 was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine on Jan 8 and ensures legal and responsible alcohol consumption when using home delivery by maintaining normal purchasing laws, such as age verification. 

Any drinks that are ordered for delivery are required to be sold in their original, sealed containers and delivery apps such as DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats would be used for distribution.

“I hope it helps our local businesses,” Lt. Mike Lewis of the Kent Police Department said. “There’s going to be a heavy responsibility on the person who delivers to verify that person’s age. It’s not something we normally experience, but I hope it helps the businesses.”

The law also offers several new additions such as an extension on liquor sales to Sundays, 24-hour sales in some instances and a variety of new types of liquor licenses.

One new license, the “J” class liquor permit, allows businesses to sell alcohol after 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The current permit owners can purchase has a 2:30 a.m. cutoff time.

A second license, known as the F12 license, allows for charitable organizations, labor unions or employers of 10 or more people to sell beer or wine at special functions.

In April of last year, an executive order was signed by DeWine that temporarily let restaurant and bar owners allow to-go alcohol orders. The order stated that alcohol could only be sold this way if it was accompanied by a meal. 

In October, the April executive order was included with other liquor legislation to House Bill 669 and was signed into law. 

Ian Jameson covers the Statehouse. Contact him at [email protected].