Proposed 'Strippers' Bill of Rights' aims to improve protections for adult dancers in WA

OLYMPIA, Wash. (TND) — A bill dubbed by some as the “Strippers’ Bill of Rights” is making its way through the Washington state Legislature.

The Democrat-sponsored legislation could create new protections for adult performers. Under the measure, minimum security standards at adult venues would beestablished, such as protecting dressing rooms with keypad locks and requiring staff training on how to counteract violent customers. Adult dancers would also be protected from being charged fees by clubs for missing shifts.

Clubs that comply with the bill would be granted a liquor license, opening up a new stream of revenue and potentially enticing new customers. The bill could also prompt the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board to exempt certain venues from its lewd conduct enforcement laws that recently sparkedbacklash from the LGBT community.

The Washington State Senate passed the bill Feb. 7, and a hearing of it in the state's House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards was scheduled for Wednesday.

Proponents of the bill, such as activist group "Strippers Are Workers,"tout it as a win for “basic workers’ rights” and an end to policies that discriminate against LGBT strip clubs. Others, such as Washington State Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, feel the liquor provisions could create problems.

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“I think this bill needs more work,” Sen. Kingsaid on the Senate floor earlier this month.

Madison Zack-Wu, the campaign manager for "Strippers Are Workers," claimsWashington dancers, on average, pay their clubs “$150 to $200 a night in shift rent.” She said this month that workers "can actually owe" money if they call in sick.

Florida lawmakers areweighinglegislation to increase the minimum age to be employed at an adult business from 18 to 21. State Rep. Carolina Amesty, R-Orange County, who filed the bill in January, suggested the adult business industry acts as an open door for human trafficking and addictions.

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