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Apr 16, 2008 7:18 pm US/Central
Dallas Council Changes Law For Sex Businesses
Seema Mathur
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
The Dallas City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to prevent underage girls from working at sexually oriented businesses.
The change in the law comes after protesters brought it to the council's attention that earlier this year a 12-year-old girl was found dancing topless at the adult club Diamond's Cabaret.
City council members say the new ordinance closes a loophole. Under the new law, if a minor is found dancing at a sexually oriented business again, that business could lose their license for a year.
It was about three weeks ago when protesters demanded that Diamond's Cabaret be shut down. "I just can't help but feel in my heart for this 12-year-old girl. She's scarred for life," said protestor Victoria Richardson.
Though Texas law says a person must be 18-years-old to work in a sexually oriented business, the council said the city ordinance was silent when it came to specifying age limits. Of course, all that changed Wednesday.
During the meeting Dr. Elba Garcia detailed some of the changes that she says are aimed at, 'Prohibiting minors from being allowed to enter, perform, or work in a sexually oriented business."
The ordinance changes include:
· Prohibiting a sexually oriented business from allowing a minor to enter the premises, employing a minor, or allowing a minor to perform.
· Requiring sexually oriented businesses to keep files with documentation of identity, age and criminal history background check on operators and entertainers.
· Requiring a sexually oriented business to name designated operators. One must always be present during operating hours.
· Reducing the effective date for license suspension or revocation from 30 days to 10 days.
· Prohibiting private and enclosed VIP rooms.
Some of the people who brought the issue to the council's attention say the changes aren't good enough. Richardson asked, "So after that year what's going to happen? I mean, is the owner going to be able to get another club?"
When CBS 11 News asked the council those questions we were told that the individual situation would be reviewed and, depending on the reason for revoking the license, the club may not get their license back at all.
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