Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the licensing authority of the town of Stoneham may grant licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises or licenses for the sale of wines and malt beverages to be drunk on the premises in theaters with seating capacities of 300 or more. A license, if issued, shall be subject to chapter 138 of the General Laws.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding section 11 of chapter 138 of the General Laws, this act shall be submitted to the voters of the town of Stoneham at an annual or special town election in the form of the following question which shall be placed on the official ballot used at that election:-

"Shall an act passed by the general court in the year 2001 entitled, 'An Act authorizing the town of Stoneham to grant licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises in theaters' be accepted?" If a majority of the votes cast in answer to the question is in the affirmative, this act shall take full effect in the town but not otherwise.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage.