What to Know Before Coming to the State House

The intent of these screening measures is to prevent dangerous items from being brought into the State House while still allowing access to anyone who wishes to enter. Those who refuse to participate in the screening process will not be admitted to the building.

Every effort is made to ensure that our screening process is both effective and efficient.  The wait for screening is usually under a minute.  Even at the busiest times, the wait is usually well under ten minutes.  If you have a time critical appointment in the State House, arrive early enough (10-15 minutes) to ensure you get through screening in time.  You can help us to expedite the screening process by understanding the following steps:

  1. Leave unnecessary metal objects at home or in your car.  Fewer items of any kind means a faster process for you and others.
  2. Most small belt buckles, eyeglasses, earrings, and other small metal items should not set off our metal detectors, but a few small items combined might cause an alarm. Many shoes, especially high-heels and work boots, have metal in their structure and will set off the alarm.
  3. Bags, purses and other personal belongings will be inspected in an x-ray machine.  Most can go directly on the conveyor belt in one of the plastic bins.  Fewer items of any kind means a faster process for you and others.
  4. As you approach screening, remove your cell phone, keys and other metal items from your pockets and prepare to place them in an x-ray tray.
  5. Upon instruction, place these items in a tray and face the screener beyond the metal detector.
  6. When instructed, walk through the metal detector at a normal pace without touching the sides.
  7. If an alarm sounds, check yourself for any forgotten metal.
  8. After you remove any additional metal, you will be rescreened.
  9. If you need to be hand-wanded, just follow the screener’s instructions during this brief process.
  10. Retrieve your items from the tray and continue into the State House.
  11. If the screener discovers an item that is prohibited, the item will be taken from you and given to the officer at the Kiosk for safe keeping and a receipt will be given to you so you can retrieve it at the end of your visit.

Thank you, in advance, for your help and cooperation.

Together, we can keep everyone safe and secure with minimal inconvenience.