Shoes must now be worn by Ohio Statehouse visitors

COLUMBUS (AP) — Visitors to the Ohio Statehouse must now wear footwear.

The Columbus Dispatch reports a legislative panel cleared rules Thursday to require shoes be worn at the Capitol.

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 has said going shoeless is a healthy lifestyle. Bob Neinast 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.”