Maine Compliance Check Program

In 2003 the Bureau of Liquor Enforcement was eliminated from state government. Two years later, in 2005, the Division of Liquor Licensing and Compliance, Department of Public Safety, was delegated as the official authority to oversee and enforce the administrative liquor laws.

There are three ways compliance checks on alcohol outlets are currently being conducted. All three ways follow a standard protocol.

The first is through statewide compliance checks conducted by a contractor. The contractor may cite only the off-premise liquor licensees for sale to a minor and all other violations must be referred to Liquor Licensing.

The second method of compliance checks are done through law enforcement agencies who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that allows them to cite both the Off-Premise and On-Premise liquor licensees on a variety of violations. MOU departments conducting compliance checks can issue any citations within the MOU immediately and must refer all other violations to Liquor Licensing.

The third method of compliance checks are done through law enforcement agencies who have NOT signed the MOU with Liquor Licensing. These departments can still conduct compliance checks but must refer all citations to Liquor Licensing.

For more information, contact Liquor Licensing and Compliance Division at: (207) 624-7220.