Committee advances bill barring minors from venues with explicit performances

The Georgia House Judiciary Committee on Oct. 27 advanced House Bill 671, a measure that would bar minors from attending performances the bill describes as sexually explicit or lewd and authorize penalties for venue operators who admit underage attendees.

Sponsor testimony said the bill requires attendees to be 18 or older and would prevent admission of minors even if accompanied by a parent or guardian. The measure outlines fines for venue holders and authorizes the Department of Revenue to suspend an alcohol license where minors are present at an event in violation of the statute. Committee members were told the statute cited for the substantive definition is Georgia code section 16-12-100.

Committee debate focused on ensuring the bill targets attendance and not performance content. Representative Mary Margaret McDonald, who spoke in committee, emphasized the bill’s child-protection purpose and said it was not intended “to hurt any of these performers.” Representative McDonald noted the committee had voted unanimously on a prior iteration of the bill.

Representative Evans asked whether prior amendments — made last year to distinguish suggestive dancing at private gatherings (for example, a wedding) from what the code defines as explicit conduct — were carried forward; the sponsor replied that the code’s definition focuses on touching or exposure of genitalia and that the change in the substitute reflects that standard.

The committee approved the bill on a voice vote. The motion passed and the chairman declared the bill passed.