FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 289

                                  C 250 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Nutley, L. Smith, Haugen, Brough and Cooper)

Revising regulation of public dances and recreational activities.

House Committe on Local Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

State law prohibits marathon dances, walkathons, and similar contests or exhibitions, and provides that it is a misdemeanor to conduct such events.  State law also prohibits the holding of public dances or the maintenance of dance halls outside of cities or towns without first having obtained a license from the county.  It is illegal to carry on immoral, suggestive or obscene dances in any such licensed dance hall.

It is a gross misdemeanor to admit a person under the age of 18 into a dance house.

SUMMARY:

Existing laws are repealed that require counties to license dance halls, prohibit the carrying on of suggestive dances and prohibit marathon dances.  Counties are authorized to license and regulate public dances and other recreation or entertainment in the unincorporated areas of the county.  License fees may be adequate to finance the costs of issuing licenses and enforcing regulations, including law enforcement activities.

The portion of general law is deleted that makes it a gross misdemeanor for someone under 18 to be admitted into any dance house.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 92   0

      Senate    46     0

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987