Lawmakers approved legislation Wednesday aimed at the exotic dancing industry. The new regulations are legislators’ latest effort to reduce human trafficking in the state.
The original bill had to do with seizing property related to human trafficking and establishing a prevention and victim assistance fund. A late addition to the measure imposes new requirements on strip clubs. Mount Vernon Republican Representative Wendy McNamara says that includes a mandate that the facilities must require two forms of ID from their dancers, verifying age and legal status.
“The establishment must also take a photo of all performers who audition and retain the photo for three years," says McNamara. "It requires the performer and other employees to sign a document acknowledging awareness of human trafficking.”
The measure also requires each establishment to display posters about human trafficking and hotline numbers for law enforcement. The House and Senate both overwhelmingly approved the bill, sending it to the governor.
