BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana strip clubs will be barred from hiring dancers under the age of 21, under a new law signed by the governor.
Gov. John Bel Edwards' office announced Wednesday that the governor has signed the bill to raise the age for the dancers from 18. The change takes effect Aug. 1.
Bill sponsor Sen. Ronnie Johns, a Lake Charles Republican, says the provision will help to fight human trafficking in Louisiana. New Orleans already enforces a similar ordinance.
Each chamber unanimously supported the bill.
Debate was briefly derailed by a proposal from Republican Rep. Kenny Havard, of Jackson, suggesting strippers should be between 21 and 28 years old and less than 160 pounds. The amendment drew strong criticism. Havard called it a joke about overregulation.