No shoes, no Statehouse: Ohio legislators say visitors must don footwear to see laws in making

3/9/2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Visitors to the Ohio Statehouse must now wear shoes.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that a legislative panel cleared the rules Thursday. Statehouse spokesman Gregg Dodd has said the requirement was prompted by concerns about public safety.

The policy follows attempts to visit the Statehouse by a barefoot activist who says going shoeless is a healthy lifestyle.

Bob Neinast (NEE'-nast) of the Columbus suburb of Pickerington says his feet hurt when he wears shoes, so he goes barefoot nearly everywhere, even in winter.

The new rule approved by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review says all visitors must be wearing "shoes or comparable footwear."