Minneapolis City Council mulls legalizing adult sex venues with new bathhouse licensing rules
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- The Minneapolis City Council is considering four proposed ordinances to legalize and regulate adult bathhouses and sex venues, including licensing, zoning updates, health standards revisions, and exceptions to indecency laws.
- These proposals come amid broader discussions on decriminalizing drug paraphernalia and reflect a shift from past bans rooted in the 1980s AIDS crisis, with the last legal bathhouse in Minneapolis closing in 1988.
- Council member Jason Chavez highlighted the historical criminalization of LGBTQIA+ spaces, emphasizing the community's past struggles with policing and stigma.
- The ordinances aim to modernize city codes by removing stigmatizing language, updating health provisions related to contagious diseases, and creating clear regulations for adult sex venues.
- Legal experts warn that legalization may introduce liability risks for business owners and complicate law enforcement responsibilities, prompting the council to seek further research before making a decision.
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