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Utah To Study Removing Restaurants' Alcohol Barriers

Utah lawmakers say they need more time to study whether the state should repeal a requirement that some restaurants mix or pour alcoholic drinks behind a barrier out of public view.

Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, told lawmakers on a senate business committee Tuesday that the barriers serve no purpose and should be repealed because they're weird.

Committee members said they want to hear more about public safety concerns and voted to study the issue this summer before lawmakers meet again for their annual session next year.

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The barriers have been nicknamed "Zion curtains," a reference to the Mormon church, which instructs its members to avoid drinking alcohol.

Supporters argue the barriers keep restaurants from looking like bars and curb underage drinking.