Doggett’s Bill To Ban Drag Shows For Minors Passes Tennessee House

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

Representative Clay Doggett’s legislation that would ban adult performers from performing “adult cabaret” that is “harmful to minors” passed the Tennessee House yesterday on a 74 to 23 vote.

House Bill 0030 (HB0030), sponsored by Doggett (R-Pulaski-District 7), amends Tennessee Code to require a person to obtain a valid entertainer permit from the adult-oriented establishment board, in those jurisdictions with a board, prior to performing adult cabaret entertainment for compensation. It also prohibits public, private, and commercial establishments from allowing persons under the age of 18 to attend a performance featuring adult cabaret entertainment. 

The bill passed the Tennessee House mostly along party lines with Democrat Representatives Beck, Camper, Chism, Clemmons, Dixie, Freeman, Glynn, Hakeem, Hardaway, Harris, Jernigan, Johnson G, Jones, Love, McKenzie, Miller, Mitchell, Parkinson, Pearson, Powell, Shaw, Thompson, and Towns voting against.

Prior to the final vote Amendment 1 (HA0007) was withdrawn and Amendment 2 (HA0052) was adopted.

The adopted HA0052 amendment slightly redefined “Adult Cabaret Entertainment” by stating. “Adult cabaret entertainment means adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors, as that term is defined in § 39-17-901, and that feature topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators, or similar entertainers…

HA0052 also more clearly defined what “entertainer” means in the bill’s context – “Entertainer” means a person who provides entertainment within an adult-oriented establishment, regardless of whether a fee is charged or accepted for entertainment and regardless of whether entertainment is provided as an employee, escort, or an independent contractor; or a performance of actual or simulated specified sexual activities, including removal of articles of clothing or appearing unclothed, regardless of whether a fee is charged or accepted for the performance and regardless of whether the performance is provided as an employee or an independent contractor.

Before being transmitted to Governor Lee to be signed into law, the legislation still has to pass on the Senate side.

The companion Senate Bill 0841 (SB0841), sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28), was originally scheduled for the Senate State and Local Government Committee on March 6th but has been deferred until March 14th, 2023.

Anyone who supports this legislation is encouraged to contact the Senate committee members prior to March 14th using the contact information below:

Senate State and Local Government Committee

Sen. Richard Briggs (Chair) (R) – sen.richard.briggs@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1766

Sen. Page Walley (Vice-Chair) (R) – sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2368

Sen. Mark Pody (2nd Vice-Chair) (R) – sen.mark.pody@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2421

Sen. Ed Jackson (R) – sen.ed.jackson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1810

Sen. Sara Kyle (D) – sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4167

Sen. Adam Lowe (R) – sen.adam.lowe@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3851

Sen. John Stevens (R) – sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4576

Sen. Ken Yager (R) – sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1449

Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D) – sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3291

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.