Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Legislation to Prohibit Obscene Performances in Public Places

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved legislation from Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, aimed at prohibiting obscene adult performances on public property or in any location where minors could be present.

House Bill 1217 makes it illegal for a person to engage in an adult performance that includes obscene, sexual material in a public place or any place where children are present. Furthermore, the bill also prohibits localities from permitting or organizing such a performance on public property or in a place where a minor will be exposed to the performance.

Obscene content is defined as any representation, performance, depiction or description of sexual conduct, which is found to be patently offensive by the average person.

“This legislation is about setting clear boundaries for what’s appropriate in public places, especially where children are present,” Bullard said. “Public spaces should be places of common decency, where families can feel secure and kids are protected from sexually explicit or offensive material. There is no excuse for exposing children to crude or inappropriate content in environments that are meant to be safe and family friendly.”

Anyone who violates HB 1217 could be charged with a misdemeanor and face up to one year in jail and up to $1,000 in fines.

The bill introduced by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, and coauthored by Senator Bullard is now eligible to be heard on the Senate floor.

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For more information, contact: Sen. David Bullard at (405) 521-5586 or David.Bullard@oksenate.gov