BATON ROUGE (AP) — The Louisiana Legislature sent to the governor a proposal to block strip clubs from hiring dancers under the age of 21, days after of House discussion of a "joke amendment" to the bill sparked outrage from female lawmakers.
The Senate gave final passage to the measure with a 33-0 vote Monday.
The bill was described as a way to fight human trafficking. But House debate turned to the treatment of women when Rep. Kenny Havard, a Jackson Republican, proposed a change suggesting strippers should be between 21 and 28 years old and less than 160 pounds.
Havard called it a joke about overregulation and quickly pulled the amendment, but not without rebuke from his female colleagues.
Each chamber unanimously supported the bill, without the amendment.
For more information about Senate Bill 468 click here.
