Oklahoma Bill Would Require Exotic Dancers To Obtain State Licenses Before Performing

A bill Oklahoma lawmakers say is aimed at curbing human trafficking by requiring state licensure for exotic dancers and tightening regulations on strip clubs has advanced through a House committee.The legislation ostensibly seeks to target businesses that exploit underage runaways or victims of human trafficking. Dubbed the “Entertainer Safety and Verification Act,” the legislation would mandate that exotic entertainers obtain a license from the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission.The measure passed through the House Business Committee Tuesday on an 8-0 vote and will next be considered by the Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Committee.“It’s meant to curb human trafficking. That’s what the intent of the bill will be,” said state lawmaker Stan May, a Republican. He noted that the transient nature of trafficking makes it difficult for law enforcement to intervene under current laws.“The people that are trafficking them never stay in a city more than a week or two and then move all of those people at the same time to the next state,” Mr. May said, according to KOCO-TV. “What the police need to have is photo ID, so when they raid those places they can immediately arrest the owner and shut the operation down. Right now, they have to go get a search warrant, and by the time they get back, [the traffickers] have moved them to the next spot,” he said.Under the proposed legislation, performances by unlicensed “exotic entertainers” would be prohibited. To obtain a license, an individual will need to be at least 21 years old, a legal citizen, and free of felony convictions. Licenses would require annual renewal, and business owners would be mandated to maintain records for inspection by ABLE agents or law enforcement.While unlicensed dancers could face misdemeanors involving fines or jail time, the bill imposes significantly harsher penalties on club owners and operators that employ them. A “sexually oriented business” found in violation would face an administrative fine of $5,000 per offense. Subsequent violations would result in fines of $10,000 per offense and the suspension of business licenses. Additionally, owners or managers could face felony prosecution.Legislators from both parties expressed early support for the measure, particularly regarding the accountability of business owners. “I like this. I’ll be in support, but I also know we’re going after the business owners,” said Democrat Melissa Provenzano, KOCO reported.Mr. May emphasized that the goal is not to burden legal workers but to ensure safety and legality within the industry.“They should have to show a form of ID that has a photograph on it so that everybody knows when they choose to work for that establishment that they are not being trafficked, they are who they say they are, and they’re a legal citizen,” he said.

Oklahoma Bill Would Require Exotic Dancers To Obtain State Licenses Before Performing

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