Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Board may not issue a new license for an establishment that is within 300 feet in a direct line of a place of worship or a public or nonpublic kindergarten, elementary, or secondary school. The distance from the establishment to the place of worship or the public or nonpublic kindergarten, elementary, or secondary school is to be measured from the establishment in a direct line to the nearest point of the main building of the place of worship or school. The prohibition against issuing a license in subsection (a) of this section does not apply to the issuance of: a license for a premises that was licensed on October 1, 1996; a Class B (on–sale) beer, wine, and liquor license for a premises in Cambridge, Secretary, or Hurlock; a temporary license; an arts beer and wine license if the Board receives written consent to the issuance of the license from each place of worship or school located within 300 feet in a direct line of the establishment for which the license is sought; or a venue beer, wine, and liquor license if the Board receives written consent to the issuance of the license from each place of worship or school located within 300 feet in a direct line of the establishment for which the license is sought.

The Board may issue a Class A beer license, Class A beer and wine license, or Class A beer, wine, and liquor license for a premises licensed under a Class B or Class D license. The Board may limit the number of Class A beer licenses, Class A beer and wine licenses, and Class A beer, wine, and liquor licenses that the Board issues.