Washington state has taken a pioneering step in safeguarding the rights and safety of adult entertainers with the passage of comprehensive legislation known as the "strippers' bill of rights." This milestone law, signed by Governor Jay Inslee on Monday, introduces a range of worker protections and opens avenues for strip clubs to acquire liquor licenses.
As reported by ABC News, the legislation, spearheaded by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña of Seattle, represents a landmark initiative applauded as the most extensive statewide protection for adult entertainers nationwide. Sen. Saldaña emphasized the fundamental principle that strippers are entitled to the same rights and protections as any other workforce. The bill mandates training for employees to prevent sexual harassment, identify human trafficking, and provide first aid, among other critical safety measures.
Furthermore, according to insights from Komo News, the new law abolishes lewd conduct regulations for establishments serving alcohol and charts a course for adult entertainment businesses to secure liquor licenses. Governor Inslee underscored the imperative of ensuring workplace safety for all workers, including those in the adult entertainment sector.
Sen. Saldaña underscored the comprehensive nature of the training requirements, emphasizing the critical need to foster a secure environment for all stakeholders. The legislation aims to alleviate the financial burden on dancers by enabling clubs to achieve economic viability through alcohol sales, thereby lessening their dependence on fees levied on workers.
While the passage of the legislation elicits applause from advocates like the dancer-led organization Strippers Are Workers, certain concerns were voiced by some King County prosecutors regarding specific provisions.
As detailed by Komo News, prosecutors expressed apprehensions about potential crime rates associated with strip clubs and sought to veto select sections of the bill. However, dancers argued that these provisions were indispensable for decriminalizing their conduct and ensuring their well-being.
