SENATE BILL 115 PASSES THE SENATE, PROTECTS CHILDREN FROM SEXUALLY EXPLICIT PERFORMANCES
FRANKFORT, KY (March 10, 2023) - Senate Bill 115 (SB 115), sponsored by Senator Lindsey Tichenor, passed out of the Senate today. Barely over one page, 31 lines to be exact, the intent of SB 115 is to prevent children from being exposed to sexually explicit adult performances in publicly-funded spaces or privately-owned public accommodations where children may be present. Such locations include but are not limited to schools, public libraries, public parks, restaurants, or entertainment venues.
“There is a destructive culture permeating our society and stealing the innocence of our children,” Tichenor said. “I wrote this bill to protect them from undue exposure to events and performance content their brains are not scientifically ready to process or understand.”
SB 115 defines “adult performance” as a sexually explicit, live performance or a live performance involving male or female impersonators who provide entertainment in a prurient or sexually charged, unwholesome nature. Taken as a whole, the performance must lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
It is important to reiterate that this bill does not prevent adults from attending these performances. It only prohibits use of publicly owned facilities or property, and prevents and protects minor children from attending or unknowingly witnessing them due to an inappropriate venue.
Lastly, the bill sets forth the penalties for violating Senate Bill 115. Performers would be subject to a charge of a misdemeanor for the first two offenses and a class D felony for the third offense. Businesses who host adult performances where minors under 18 are present will be subject to:
Suspension or revocation of alcohol license by the Kentucky Alcohol Beverage Control Board.
Suspension or revocation of business license or certificate of occupancy.
Denial or refusal to renew a business license or certificate of occupancy.
Any other appropriate penalty based on the degree of violation or offense.
“For the life of me, I cannot understand why anyone wants to expose their children to such sexually explicit content, essentially robbing them of the simplicity and innocence of their childhood,” said Tichenor. “My hope is that the penalties for violating this bill will curtail these performances and protect not only the children of those who choose to take them, but those who unintentionally happen upon them by way of just attending school, the park or the library.”
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Senator Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield, represents the 6th Senate District, including Oldham and Trimble Counties and part of Jefferson County. She serves a Senate Education; Families and Children; and Health Services committee member. Tichenor is also a Budget Review Subcommittee on Human Resources Committee member.
Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate106.jpg for a high-resolution JPEG file of Tichenor.
