Text of MT HB 359 (2023)

**** 68th Legislature 2023 HB 359.1 - 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 359 HOUSE BILL NO. 359 1 INTRODUCED BY B. MITCHELL, S. GUNDERSON, M. MALONE, S. KERNS, J. SCHILLINGER, C. 2 KNUDSEN, S. GIST, K. ZOLNIKOV, S. ESSMANN, P. FIELDER, S. VINTON, L. REKSTEN, L. SHELDON- 3 GALLOWAY, M. REGIER, T. MOORE, M. BERTOGLIO, L. BREWSTER, J. CARLSON, J. HINKLE, B. LER, A. 4 REGIER, K. SEEKINS-CROWE, S. GALLOWAY, F. NAVE, R. MARSHALL, E. BUTTREY, L. JONES, D. 5 LOGE, B. KEENAN, C. HINKLE, J. READ, R. FITZGERALD, J. GILLETTE, G. OBLANDER, J. BERGSTROM, 6 T. BROCKMAN, G. PARRY, M. YAKAWICH, J. FULLER, M. CUFFE, S. HINEBAUCH, T. MCGILLVRAY, M. 7 NOLAND, D. LENZ, D. BARTEL, C. FRIEDEL, B. GILLESPIE, D. SALOMON, C. GLIMM, K. BOGNER, M. 8 LANG, P. GREEN, G. KMETZ, T. FALK, C. SPRUNGER, B. BARKER, J. ETCHART, R. MINER, J. TREBAS, J. 9 KASSMIER, B. PHALEN, L. DEMING, L. HELLEGAARD, T. SMITH, S. VANCE, F. MANDEVILLE, T. 10 VERMEIRE, Z. WIRTH, N. DURAM, R. KNUDSEN, N. HASTINGS 11 12 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT PROHIBITING MINORS FROM ATTENDING DRAG SHOWS; 13 PROHIBITING MINORS FROM ENTERING SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES; PROHIBITING DRAG 14 PERFORMANCES IN LIBRARIES OR SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVE STATE FUNDING; PROVIDING 15 DEFINITIONS; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES.” 16 17 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: 18 19 NEW SECTION. Section 1. Definitions. As used in [sections 1 through 2], the following definitions 20 apply: 21 (1) "Drag performance" means a performance in which a performer exhibits a gender identity that 22 is different than the performer's gender assigned at birth using clothing, makeup, or other physical markers and 23 sings, lip syncs, dances, or otherwise performs for entertainment to appeal to a prurient interest. 24 (2) "Nude" means: 25 (a) entirely unclothed; or 26 (b) clothed in a manner that leaves uncovered or visible through less than fully opaque clothing 27 any portion of the breast below the top of the areola of the breasts if the person is female or any portion of the 28 **** 68th Legislature 2023 HB 359.1 - 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 359 genitals or buttocks. 1 (3) "Sexually oriented business" means a nightclub, bar, restaurant, or similar commercial 2 enterprise that: 3 (a) provides for an audience of two or more individuals: 4 (i) live nude entertainment or live nude performances; or 5 (ii) a drag performance; and 6 (b) authorizes on-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages. 7 8 NEW SECTION. Section 2. Restrictions on sexually oriented businesses -- penalty. (1) A 9 sexually oriented business may not allow a person under 18 years of age to enter the premises of the business. 10 (2) The owner, operator, manager, or employee of a sexually oriented business who is convicted 11 of violating this section shall be fined not less than $1,000 or more than $5,000 for the first offense, not less 12 than $2,500 or more than $5,000 for the second offense, and for third and subsequent offenses be fined 13 $10,000 and, if applicable, the county or municipality shall revoke the business license held by the offender. 14 15 NEW SECTION. Section 3. Drag performances prohibited in publicly funded libraries or 16 schools. (1) A library that receives any form of funding from the state may not allow a drag performance as 17 defined in [section 1] on its premises during its regular operating hours. 18 (2) A school that receives any form of funding from the state may not allow a drag performance as 19 defined in [section 1] on its premises during school hours or at any school-sanctioned extracurricular activity. 20 (3) A library, a school, or library or school personnel convicted of violating the prohibition under this 21 section shall be fined $5,000 and, if applicable, the board of public education shall initiate proceedings to 22 suspend the teacher, administrator, or specialist certificate of the offender under 20-4-110 for 1 year. If an 23 offender's certificate has previously been suspended pursuant to this subsection (3), the board of public 24 education shall initiate proceedings to permanently revoke the teacher, administrator, or specialist certificate of 25 the offender under 20-4-110 on a subsequent violation of this section. 26 27 NEW SECTION. Section 4. Codification instruction. (1) [Sections 1 and 2] are intended to be 28 **** 68th Legislature 2023 HB 359.1 - 3 - Authorized Print Version – HB 359 codified as an integral part of Title 45, chapter 8, and the provisions of Title 45, chapter 8, apply to [sections 1 1 and 2]. 2 (2) [Section 3] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 20, chapter 7, part 1, and the 3 provisions of Title 20, chapter 7, part 1, apply to [section 3]. 4 - END - 5

- 2023 68th Legislature 2023 HB0359 - 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 359 ENROLLED BILL AN ACT PROHIBITING MINORS FROM ATTENDING SEXUALLY ORIENTED SHOWS; PROHIBITING DRAG STORY HOUR IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES THAT RECEIVE PUBLIC FUNDING; PROHIBITING MINORS FROM ATTENDING SEXUALLY ORIENTED OR OBSCENE PERFORMANCES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY; PROHIBITING SEXUALLY ORIENTED PERFORMANCES IN LIBRARIES OR SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVE STATE FUNDING; PROHIBITING SEXUALLY ORIENTED PERFORMANCES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY WHERE CHILDREN ARE PRESENT; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING PENALTIES; ESTABLISHING A PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: Section 1. Definitions. As used in [sections 1 and 2], the following definitions apply: (1) "Drag king" means a male or female performer who adopts a flamboyant or parodic male persona with glamorous or exaggerated costumes and makeup. (2) "Drag queen" means a male or female performer who adopts a flamboyant or parodic feminine persona with glamorous or exaggerated costumes and makeup. (3) "Drag story hour" means an event hosted by a drag queen or drag king who reads children's books and engages in other learning activities with minor children present. (4) "Nude" means: (a) entirely unclothed; or (b) clothed in a manner that leaves uncovered or visible through less than fully opaque clothing any portion of the breast below the top of the areola of the breasts if the person is female or any portion of the genitals or buttocks. (5) "Prurient interest in sex" has the same meaning as provided in 45-8-205. (6) "Public property" means any real property owned or leased, in whole or part, by the state or a - 2023 68th Legislature 2023 HB0359 - 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 359 ENROLLED BILL political subdivision, as defined in 2-9-101, or held in the name of a political subdivision by a department, board, or authority of the state or a political subdivision. (7) "Obscene" has the same meaning as provided in 45-8-201. (8) "Sexually oriented" means any simulation of sexual activity, stripping, salacious dancing, any lewd or lascivious depiction or description of human genitals or of sexual conduct as defined in 45-5-625. (9) "Sexually oriented business" means a nightclub, bar, restaurant, or similar commercial enterprise that: (a) provides for an audience of two or more individuals: (i) live nude entertainment or live nude performances; or (ii) a sexually oriented performance; and (b) authorizes on-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages. (10) "Sexually oriented performance" means a performance that, regardless of whether performed for consideration, is intended to appeal to a prurient interest in sex and features: (a) the purposeful exposure, whether complete or partial, of: (i) a human genital, the pubic region, the human buttocks, or a female breast, if the breast is exposed below a point immediately above the top of the areola; or (ii) prosthetic genitalia, breasts, or buttocks; (b) stripping; or (c) sexual conduct. (11) "Stripping" means removal or simulated removal of clothing in a sexual manner for the entertainment of one or more individuals. Section 2. Restrictions on sexually oriented businesses -- penalty. (1) A sexually oriented business may not allow a person under 18 years of age to enter the premises of the business during a sexually oriented performance. (2) The owner, operator, manager, or employee of a sexually oriented business who is convicted of violating this section shall be fined not less than $1,000 or more than $5,000 for the first offense, not less than $2,500 or more than $5,000 for the second offense, and for third and subsequent offenses be fined - 2023 68th Legislature 2023 HB0359 - 3 - Authorized Print Version – HB 359 ENROLLED BILL $10,000 and, if applicable, the county or municipality shall revoke the business license held by the offender. (3) [Sections 1 through 4] are applicable and uniform throughout the state and any political subdivisions. Section 3. Where sexually oriented performances are prohibited. (1) A library that receives any form of funding from the state may not allow a sexually oriented performance as defined in [section 1] on its premises. (2) A school or library that receives any form of funding from the state may not allow a sexually oriented performance or drag story hour, as defined in [section 1], on its premises during regular operating hours or at any school-sanctioned extracurricular activity. (3) A sexually oriented performance is prohibited: (a) on public property in any location where the performance is in the presence of an individual under the age of 18; and (b) in a location owned by an entity that receives any form of funding from the state. (4) A library, a school, or library or school personnel, a public employee, or an entity described in subsection (3)(b) or an employee of the entity convicted of violating the prohibition under this section shall be fined $5,000 and, if applicable, proceedings must be initiated to suspend the teacher, administrator, or specialist certificate of the offender under 20-4-110 for 1 year. If an offender's certificate has previously been suspended pursuant to this subsection (4), proceedings must be initiated to permanently revoke the teacher, administrator, or specialist certificate of the offender under 20-4-110 on a subsequent violation of this section. Section 4. Private right of action. (1) A minor who attends a performance in violation of [section 2] or [section 3] may bring an action against a person who knowingly promotes, conducts, or participates as a performer in the performance. The minor’s parent or legal guardian may bring an action in the name of the minor for an action commenced under this section. (2) If a person prevails in an action brought under this section, the court shall award: (a) actual damages, including damages for psychological, emotional, economic, and physical harm; - 2023 68th Legislature 2023 HB0359 - 4 - Authorized Print Version – HB 359 ENROLLED BILL (b) reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred in bringing the action; and (c) statutory damages of $5,000. (3) A person may bring an action under this section not later than 10 years from the date the cause of action accrues. Section 5. Codification instruction. (1) [Sections 1 and 2] are intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 45, chapter 8, and the provisions of Title 45, chapter 8, apply to [sections 1 and 2]. (2) [Section 3] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 20, chapter 7, part 1, and the provisions of Title 20, chapter 7, part 1, apply to [section 3]. (3) [Section 4] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 27, chapter 1, and the provisions of Title 27, chapter 1, apply to [section 4]. Section 6. Severability. If a part of [this act] is invalid, all valid parts that are severable from the invalid part remain in effect. If a part of [this act] is invalid in one or more of its applications, the part remains in effect in all valid applications that are severable from the invalid applications. Section 7. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval. - END - I hereby certify that the within bill, HB 359, originated in the House. ___________________________________________ Chief Clerk of the House ___________________________________________ Speaker of the House Signed this _______________________________day of____________________________________, 2023. ___________________________________________ President of the Senate Signed this _______________________________day of____________________________________, 2023. HOUSE BILL NO. 359 INTRODUCED BY B. MITCHELL, E. BUTTREY, M. CUFFE, D. SALOMON, J. READ, T. MCGILLVRAY, K. REGIER, L. JONES, E. BUTCHER, B. KEENAN, C. GLIMM, G. HERTZ, M. LANG, D. LENZ, J. HINKLE, F. MANDEVILLE, T. MANZELLA, W. MCKAMEY, M. NOLAND, S. HINEBAUCH, S. GUNDERSON, M. REGIER, D. LOGE, R. FITZGERALD, F. ANDERSON, L. SHELDON-GALLOWAY, J. TREBAS, D. BARTEL, C. KNUDSEN, B. USHER, S. VINTON, B. BEARD, M. HOPKINS, N. DURAM, J. FULLER, R. KNUDSEN, K. BOGNER, B. GILLESPIE, J. KASSMIER, B. MERCER, T. MOORE, B. LER, B. PHALEN, F. NAVE, J. CARLSON, L. BREWSTER, K. ZOLNIKOV, A. REGIER, L. REKSTEN, P. FIELDER, S. KERNS, S. GALLOWAY, S. GIST, J. SCHILLINGER, K. SEEKINS-CROWE, M. MALONE, J. GILLETTE, C. HINKLE, M. BERTOGLIO, R. MARSHALL, C. FRIEDEL, S. ESSMANN, M. YAKAWICH, T. BROCKMAN, T. SMITH, R. MINER, G. PARRY, G. OBLANDER, N. NICOL, L. DEMING, D. EMRICH, S. VANCE, T. VERMEIRE, C. SPRUNGER, T. FALK, J. BERGSTROM, G. KMETZ, P. GREEN, J. ETCHART, B. BARKER, L. HELLEGAARD, Z. WIRTH, N. HASTINGS AN ACT PROHIBITING MINORS FROM ATTENDING SEXUALLY ORIENTED SHOWS; PROHIBITING DRAG STORY HOUR IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES THAT RECEIVE PUBLIC FUNDING; PROHIBITING MINORS FROM ATTENDING SEXUALLY ORIENTED OR OBSCENE PERFORMANCES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY; PROHIBITING SEXUALLY ORIENTED PERFORMANCES IN LIBRARIES OR SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVE STATE FUNDING; PROHIBITING SEXUALLY ORIENTED PERFORMANCES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY WHERE CHILDREN ARE PRESENT; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING PENALTIES; ESTABLISHING A PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.