8 M.R.S. § 161

The following provisions govern the licensing of public dances. [PL 1997, c. 728, §1 (RPR).]

1. Law enforcement. A public dance at which minors are admitted may not be held in any pavilion, hall or other building unless a law enforcement officer or, if permitted under local regulation or ordinance, a private security guard, licensed under Title 32, chapter 93 , is present during the dance and unless there are in such pavilion, hall or other building separate toilets for men and women. This subsection does not apply to dances conducted by and for students in either public, private or state-owned school buildings or municipally owned buildings. [PL 1997, c. 728, §1 (NEW).]

2. Posting of license. A building or any part of the building used for public dancing purposes, either habitually or occasionally, must have posted at all times of dances a proper license obtained from the Commissioner of Public Safety. [PL 1997, c. 728, §1 (NEW).]

3. Application; inspection. The owner, lessee or tenant of the building shall apply for a license from the Commissioner of Public Safety. Upon receipt of an application, the Commissioner of Public Safety or the commissioner's designee shall inspect the building, including its entrances, exits, fire escapes and structural and fire safety. If the building complies with all laws and rules, the Commissioner of Public Safety shall issue a license. The license must name the owner, the name of the hall, the location in the building of the dance area and the capacity of this area for dancing. [PL 1997, c. 728, §1 (NEW).]

4. Scope; expiration. The license covers all dancing in the building or parts of the building as stated on the license. A dancing license expires one year from the date of issue unless sooner revoked. [PL 1997, c. 728, §1 (NEW).]

5. Fee. The fee for a dancing license is $117. The fee must accompany the application for the license and is not refunded in those cases in which the premises are inspected. Fees collected under this section must be deposited into a special revenue account to carry out the purposes of this section. A fee is not required for the licensing of dances conducted by and for students in public, private or state-owned school buildings or municipally owned buildings. [PL 2001, c. 437, §1 (AMD); PL 2001, c. 437, §8 (AFF).]

6. Rules. The Commissioner of Public Safety shall adopt the necessary rules and regulations relative to the fire protection, fire prevention and structural accident prevention governing the buildings in which public dances are held. [PL 1997, c. 728, §1 (NEW).]

7. Temporary license. Following the transfer of ownership of a building used for public dances licensed under this section, a new owner that applies for a new dancing license for that building may simultaneously apply to the Commissioner of Public Safety for a temporary dancing license. The commissioner may issue a temporary dancing license, which is valid for a period of 60 days or until a decision is made on the application submitted pursuant to subsection 3 , whichever is shorter. The fee for a temporary dancing license issued pursuant to this subsection is $25. [PL 2011, c. 333, §1 (NEW).]