State senator wants to license adult entertainers

The Capital News Service, a Michigan State University journalism class designed to give students hands on experience with state government, reports via the Lansing State Journal that Sen. Ray Basham (D-Taylor) wants to create a new law targeting employees of adult entertainment facilities.

While the Liquor Control Commission, which monitors liquor licenses, says there are only 81 facilities in the state’s 83 counties which allow topless entertainment with alcohol sales, Basham said the adult entertainment industry is not regulated enough.

From the Capital News Service story:

“We understand what federal laws say, but the industry is not being policed and is allowing juveniles in,” he said.

Basham cited the 2007 cocaine overdose death of 17-year-old Stephanie Brown at a Lincoln Park strip club as proof of juveniles in the industry. To work in the industry, you must be 18 according to state law.

The ACLU of Michigan is not keen on the proposal nor is a national group which represents adult entertainment venues, Association of Club Executives. Both groups cite concerns about the safety of adult entertainers if the licensing process goes through.

Again from the story:

“A permitting process is generally public. Someone could, potentially, find one of these employees. It does seem like a safety concern,” said the ACLU’s legislative director, Shelli Weisberg.

“Anecdotally, I have heard stories especially of women being stalked. Clubs take great measures to see their workers are protected.”

Weisberg also pointed out that the legislation says that local licensing boards would be able to ask for dancers’ names and dates of birth, but doesn’t explicitly prevent them from requiring more personal information.

Under the proposal, all employees at adult entertainment facilities would have to receive a license. In addition, club operators would be required to collect a $3 per visitor excise fee which would be turned over to the state.