Delegate Greg Howard, a recent story reported, has introduced a bill (HB 2124) in the West Virginia House of Delegates that would ban contact between exotic dancers and customers by requiring that dancers be at least 10 feet from patrons and on a stage at least 2 feet off the floor.
The report said that tipping of dancers would also be banned under the bill, and hours of sexually oriented businesses would be restricted to 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, with no action taken so far.
According to the story, the first thing lawmakers will have to do is make sure the bill presents no constitutional problems, said Delegate John Ellem, (R-Wood), a Judiciary Committee member. “I'll certainly take a look at it,” he said. “I’m all for the concept.”
“I don’t see it going through,” said Robert Ferrell, manager of the Lion’s Den adult bookstore, told Evan Bevins of the Parkersville New and Sentinel. Ferrell’s establishment is open 24 hours a day, seven days-a-week, in Mineral Wells. “The Mineral Wells location has been open for 15 years and cutting its hours would severely affect business,” he said.
The report concluded by saying that the judiciary committee member Tom Azinger, (R-Wood), said he would not be concerned with the negative effects the bill could have on sexually oriented businesses. “I don’t think those are the kind of businesses that do anything for the community,” he said.
