Beer drinkers in Pennsylvania will now have a better chance of buying their alcohol on Sundays. The state Legislature approved a bill containing a number of changes to the state liquor code, including an amendment that allows distributors to sell beer on Sundays for more than twice the amount of time they used to. But the bill's passage has some concerned the change will lead to more DUIs and underage drinking.

Under the amended bill, beer can be sold from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. That includes restaurants and bars that offer brunch and breakfast. Distributors will also no longer be required to collect names, addresses and other personal information from those who buy more than four cases at a time. The legislation affects distilleries, too: They'll be able to sell bottled liquor at the distillery and up to two satellite locations as long as the price is the same in state-owned liquor stores. And they'll be able to provide tasting samples of liquor up to 1.5 fluid ounces.

Bar and restaurant happy hours will be allowed to get even happier thanks to a provision in the bill that loosens the noise restrictions and expands happy hour rules.

There is some dissent, however. One state representative spoke out against the bill, saying it "greatly expands the use of alcoholic beverages" and could therefore increase drunk driving and underage drinking. This expansion could, in fact, cause people to start drinking earlier and continue drinking longer, which could increase the chances that they'll drive drunk.

When it comes to underage drinking, the correlation isn't as direct, but some might argue that with more opportunity to buy alcohol comes more opportunity to buy it for minors. And with personal information no longer required to buy several cases at a time, it's harder to track a purchase that leads to trouble. What do you think? Will looser restrictions on beer sales increase the rate of underage drinking?

Source: LDNews.com, "Bill will expand Sunday sale of beer in Pa.," Peter Jackson, Dec. 7, 2011