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FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 6, 2024) — The Senate advanced an amended bill Wednesday that would prevent adult-oriented businesses from operating near areas frequented by children.
Senate Bill 147 focuses on adult arcades, adult book and video stores, adult cabarets and theaters and other establishments that regularly host performances involving sexual conduct.
The bill would prohibit such businesses from operating within 933 feet of a child care facility, children’s amusement establishment, park or recreational area, place of worship or a building used for educational purposes.
“We have recently seen performances that historically have been in the adult entertainment space but yet have now moved into the public sector and advertised for all ages, specifically for children,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield.
She said it’s in the best interest of the state to create regulations that help guard against the adverse effects of such businesses. That includes increased crime, human trafficking, public indecency, and drug use, among other problems, she said.
“We all know the commonwealth regulates many of our businesses in order to ensure community safety and protection,” Tichenor said.
SB 147 would also prohibit outside displays of nudity or sexual conduct, and adult-oriented businesses would be required to adopt policies and procedures to bar minors from gaining access.
The Senate adopted two amendments to the bill Wednesday, including one change that removed the word “drag” from the definition of adult cabaret.
Senate Minority Whip David Yates, D-Louisville, said he thinks that most senators would want to make sure that minors and children aren’t exposed to sexually explicit conduct. However, he said he foresees possible constitutional challenges and voted against the measure.
“We want to make sure that minors are not going into strip clubs and those types of facilities,” he said.
However, Yates cited concerns that the measure specifically targets drag performances even though the word had been removed.
The bill passed in the Senate 32-6 and now heads to the House.
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