Sec. 1. 17 MRSA §327, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 232, §1, is repealed.

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §1542, sub-§2, ļO is enacted to read:

O.__Smoking is not prohibited in a designated smoking area of a bingo or beano hall licensed under Title 17, chapter 13-A as long as:

(1)__The designated smoking area is segregated from the main public area of the hall and sealed by a door;

(2)__The designated smoking area is equipped with a ventilation system to admit outside air;

(3)__Both the smoking and nonsmoking areas have a public address system and a master board, electric flashboard or chalkboard visible to all players;

(4)__A member of the licensee is present during the game in both the smoking and the nonsmoking areas; and

(5)__A sign provided by the department listing the toll-free telephone number of the Maine Tobacco HelpLine administered by the department is posted in a visible location in the designated smoking area.

Sec. 3. Department of Health and Human Services to provide sign. Upon request, the Department of Health and Human Services shall provide a sign to a bingo or beano hall licensed under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17, chapter 13-A listing the toll-free telephone number of the Maine Tobacco HelpLine administered by the Department of Health and Human Services.

SUMMARY

This bill allows a beano or bingo hall to maintain a designated smoking area as long as the area is segregated from the main hall and sealed with a door; is equipped with a ventilation system; has a public address system and has the master board, flashboard or chalkboard visible to all players in both the smoking and nonsmoking areas; has a member of the licensee present in both the smoking and nonsmoking areas; and posts a sign listing the toll-free telephone number of the Maine Tobacco HelpLine administered by the Department of Health and Human Services in a visible location in the designated smoking area. This bill also directs the Department of Health and Human