OKLAHOMA CITY—State lawmakers in the Oklahoma House of Representatives are considering a measure to require licensing for the state's strip clubs and increase the legal minimum age to be employed at an adult entertainment establishment as an "exotic entertainer."
The "Entertainer Safety and Verification Act" advanced through the committee with bipartisan, unanimous support, according to legislative documents.
The proposal, House Bill (HB) 3832, was reviewed by the House Business Committee during a hearing on Tuesday of this week. Republican state Rep. Stan May, majority caucus chair, introduced House Bill 3832 in an effort to counter "human trafficking" from within adult entertainment venues.
HB 3832 defines an "exotic entertainer" as anyone who performs in a sexually-oriented business, which covers erotic performances like dancing and stripping. May's bill requires entertainers to be licensed by the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission to perform, and they must be at least 21 years old.
The current legal age to be an exotic entertainer in the state is 18 years old. To be licensed under this proposed regime, the individual must be a U.S. citizen, at least 21 years of age as noted, and have not been convicted of crimes related to human trafficking, indecent exposure, or a prostitution related offense. Performers without such a license could be charged and prosecuted for a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $500, imprisonment of up to one year in the county jail, or both.
Subsequent violations are misdemeanors and punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and one year in county jail, or both. Further, any adult entertainment business that employs such a performer without a license or fails to maintain proper records is subject to administrative fines of $5,000 per offense.
Subsequent violations would result in fines of $10,000 per offense and suspension of all ABLE-issued business licenses for at least one year.
Owners and managers who employ unlicensed entertainers or fail to maintain proper records could be convicted of a felony, fined up to $1,000, and sentenced to one to three years' imprisonment, or both. Further violations result in a felony punishable by a fine not exceeding $5,000, and imprisonment of not less than two years and not more than five years. These individuals would also be legally barred from owning or operating adult entertainment clubs that feature licensed dancing.
A similar law was adopted in Florida, raising the minimum legal age to dance in adult clubs from 18 to 21. There were criminal penalties attached to this law as well.
The bill is likely to pass through the Oklahoma state legislature with bipartisan support and heavy amendments.
