Subject: State Public Health Requirements for Footwear

Dear Mr. Roat:

Thank you for your letter of inquiry, dated March 12, 2002, regarding State of Maine laws or regulations that would require shoes or other footwear to be worn in public places, such as restaurants, retail establishments, libraries, schools, etc. Unfortunately, my research has not turned up any Maine statute or regulations concerning the public footwear issue in our state regulated eating establishments, or any of the other listed establishments that you mentioned in your letter to the Maine Bureau of Health.

My thoughts to you on the subject of posted signs at entrances to restaurants requiring shoes "by order of the Health Department" are that the signs may be referring to a local health department ordinance. Perhaps the federal government (i.e. OSHA) or insurance regulators also play a part in promoting public footwear. Sorry that I couldn't find more information for you, though I did employ an internet search of our State of Maine website at www.state.me.us.

Please let me know if I may be of further assistance to you. I can be reached at 207-287-1978.

Sincerely,

(signed)

Rebecca Vigue
Manager
Eating and Lodging Program
Division of Health Engineering
Bureau of Health
Department of Human Services
E-mail: rebecca.vigue@state.me.us