Legislation would allow alcohol at retirement, nursing homes

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) – A group of residents at a Bloomington retirement home are spearheading a legislative push to allow alcohol to be served at Indiana’s nursing homes and retirement communities.

Three Meadowood Retirement Community residents worked on the proposal after the home was cited by state excise police for serving alcohol without an alcohol beverage permit.

They worked with Democratic state Rep. Matt Pierce on a bill presented Wednesday to a House committee that would allow alcohol to be served at such homes without a permit.

The Herald-Times reports state code doesn’t include senior facilities among locations such as convention centers that don’t need the permit to serve alcohol.

Meadowood resident Ron Kovener says pre-dinner drinks and Friday socials with alcohol have long been a staple at the retirement home.