Pennsylvania Code › Title 4 - ADMINISTRATION › Part III - DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES › Subpart F - COMMONWEALTH BUILDINGS › Chapter 86 - USE OF THE PUBLIC AREAS OF THE CAPITOL COMPLEX-STATEMENT OF POLICY › Section 86.3 - Policy governing the public areas of the Capitol Complex

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 28, July 13, 2024
In its administration, operation and preservation of the
					 Capitol Complex, the policy of the Department relating to the public use of all
					 public areas of the Capitol Complex will be as stated in this section. For
					 Department policy relating specifically to the interior or exterior public
					 areas of the Capitol Complex, see §
										§
										86.4 and
					 86.5 (relating to policy governing
					 the interior public areas of the Capitol Complex; and policy governing the
					 exterior public areas of the Capitol Complex).
(1)
Discrimination
. A public
				  event or exhibit that discriminates on the basis of race, national origin,
				  religion, sex, age, handicap, partisan politics or the content of any written
				  or oral communication or other expressive activity will not be
				  permitted.
(2)
Interference
				  with Commonwealth business
. A public event or exhibit within the
				  Capitol Complex may not interfere with a Legislative session or the conduct of
				  public business by agencies of the Commonwealth. An event or exhibit may not
				  threaten the safety and well being of the individuals conducting the work of
				  the General Assembly or Commonwealth agencies.
(3)
Emergencies
. In case of
				  fire, bomb threat, utility malfunction, structural failure, other unforeseen
				  emergency, threat endangering public safety or health or in the interest of
				  maintaining the necessary level of security, the Secretary may delay or
				  postpone any scheduled event until the emergency or threat is over, and until
				  the event can be rescheduled.
(4)
Scheduling
. Subject to the provisions of Chapter 85 (relating
				  to exercise of First Amendment rights on Commonwealth property), use of the
				  Capitol by an individual or organization for an event or exhibit is authorized
				  only if the event or exhibit has been scheduled with the Secretary in
				  accordance with the procedures in §
										86.6 (relating to scheduling events
				  and exhibits).
(5)
Responsibilities of users of the Capitol Complex
. Individuals
				  or organizations are responsible for returning the areas used in conducting
				  their events or exhibits to their original condition. Individuals or
				  organizations are responsible for any vandalism, damage, breakage, loss or
				  other destruction to the Capitol Complex caused by that individual or
				  organization. The Department will assess individuals or organizations for
				  damages incurred. The cost of the repair will include the costs for the
				  services of specialists in relevant historical restoration skills as determined
				  by the Secretary.
(6)
Obligation to the Commonwealth to indemnify and hold harmless
.
				  Individuals and organizations using the Capitol Complex will be required by the
				  Department to indemnify and hold harmless the Commonwealth, its departments,
				  agents and employees, from and against all suits, damages, claims or other
				  liabilities due to personal injury or death, damage to or loss of property to
				  the Commonwealth or to others, or for any other injury or damage arising out of
				  or resulting from the use of the Capitol Complex.
(7)
Food and beverages
. Food
				  and beverages may be served at an approved event or exhibit only with the
				  approval of the Secretary. A request for permission to serve food and beverages
				  shall be submitted in writing before the scheduled event or exhibit and shall
				  conform to the following:
(i) A description of
				  the type of food and beverages to be served, the desired service area and the
				  identification of the caterer, if applicable, shall be provided.
(ii) The applicant shall agree to assume full
				  responsibility for the preparation, service and consumption of the food and
				  beverages provided during the event or exhibit.
(iii) The applicant shall assure that the
				  food and beverage service will not cause physical damage to the building or
				  grounds.
(iv) Alcoholic beverages
				  may not be served or consumed in a public area within the Capitol Complex,
				  except with the express permission of the Secretary.