A package of bills in the state house aims to professionalize adult entertainment clubs.
The bills would set up licensing and regulations for strip clubs, managers, and dancers and would also compile a state database of strip clubs.
Democratic Representative Leslie Love is the bill sponsor. She said professionalizing strip clubs will protect workers.
“I know what people will do what they need to do to earn money but I think it’s important to protect dancers, we respect dancers, it’s a profession.
She said professionalization would protect patrons too.
“Some dancers - I’m going to call it like it is - black women - some owners don’t want them in their clubs not because they don’t like the ladies but they don’t want the clientele that would attract.”
Love said the bills would also require that dancers be at least 21 years of age and that VIP rooms not be enclosed.
She said regulation has fallen through in the past because lawmakers are nervous to engage with strip clubs at all.
“It’s always from this moral browbeating approach like ‘why do we need these things let’s get rid of them.’ It’s a multi-million dollar business, it’s a part of our economy and it’s been a staple in my community for years.”
Love said the bills would also require a three dollar fee to enter clubs which would go to an abuse-prevention fund.
She said the bills have bipartisan support