SECOND REGULAR SESSION
[TRULY AGREED TO AND FINALLY PASSED]
HOUSE SUBSTITUTE FOR
HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
SENATE BILL NO. 870
92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
2004
2735L.11T
AN ACT
To amend chapter 226, RSMo, by adding thereto two new sections relating to sexually-oriented billboards, with penalty provisions.
Section A. Chapter 226, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto two new sections, to be known as section 226.531 and 1, to read as follows:
226.531. 1. As used in this section the following terms, mean:
(1) "Adult cabaret", a nightclub, bar, restaurant, or similar establishment in which persons appear in a state of nudity, as defined in section 573.500, RSMo, or semi-nudity, in the performance of their duties;
(2) "Semi-nudity", a state of dress in which opaque clothing fails to cover the genitals, anus, anal cleft or cleavage, pubic area, vulva, nipple and areola of the female breast below a horizontal line across the top of the areola at its highest point. Semi-nudity shall include the entire lower portion of the female breast, but shall not include any portion of the cleavage of the human female breast exhibited by wearing apparel provided the areola is not exposed in whole or part;
(3) "Sexually-oriented business", any business which offers its patrons goods of which a substantial portion are sexually-oriented materials. Any business where more than ten percent of display space is used for sexually-oriented materials shall be presumed to be a sexually-oriented business;
(4) "Sexually-oriented materials", any textual, pictorial, or three dimensional material that depicts nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or sadomasochistic abuse in a way which is patently offensive to the average person applying contemporary adult community standards with respect to what is suitable for minors.
2. No billboard or other exterior advertising sign, for an adult cabaret or sexually-oriented business shall be located within one mile of any state highway except if such business is located within one mile of a state highway then the business may display a maximum of two exterior signs on the premises of the business, consisting of one identification sign and one sign solely giving notice that the premises are off limits to minors. The identification sign shall be no more than forty square feet in size and shall include no more than the following information: name, street address, telephone number, and operating hours of the business.
3. Signs existing at the time of the effective date of this section, which did not conform to the requirements of this section, may be allowed to continue as a nonconforming use, but should be made to conform within three years from August 28, 2004.
4. Any owner of such a business who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor. Each week a violation of this section continues to exist shall constitute a separate offense.
5. This section is designed to protect the following public policy interests of this state, including but not limited to: to mitigate the adverse secondary effects of sexually oriented businesses, to improve traffic safety, to limit harm to minors, and to reduce prostitution, crime, juvenile delinquency, deterioration in property values, and lethargy in neighborhood improvement efforts.
Section 1. The attorney general shall represent the state in all actions and proceedings arising from this section 573.510. Also, all costs incurred by the attorney general to defend or prosecute this section 573.510, including payment of all court costs, civil judgments and, if necessary, any attorneys fees, shall be paid from the general revenue fund.