Oklahoma Lawmakers Want Strippers To Get Licensed
Oklahoma Lawmakers Want Strippers To Get Licensed — Here’s What The Bill Would Do
Strip clubs have always lived in that weird space between being taboo and being everybody’s favorite guilty pleasure. It’s the spot folks pull up to after a long week, a birthday, a breakup, or just because the night feels right. You walk in, music loud, lights low, dancers doing their thing, and for a couple of hours, the outside world doesn’t matter. For most customers, it’s simple: tip your dancer, enjoy the moment, and head home. But what most people don’t see is everything happening behind the scenes — the business rules, safety concerns, and legal gray areas that keep the whole operation running.
That’s exactly where Oklahoma lawmakers are stepping in now. A new proposal called House Bill 3832 — also known as the “Entertainer Safety and Verification Act” — would require exotic dancers and adult entertainers to obtain official state licenses in order to work. The bill was introduced by State Rep. Stan May, who says the goal isn’t to ruin anybody’s hustle, but to crack down on human trafficking and exploitation happening within the adult entertainment industry. The idea is that by creating a licensing system, the state can better track who’s working, verify their identities, and make sure no one is being forced into the profession against their will.
If the bill passes, dancers would have to apply for a license through Oklahoma’s Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission. To qualify, entertainers would need to be at least 21 years old, a citizen, and have no felony convictions. The law also clearly defines exotic entertainers as anyone performing in sexually oriented businesses, including stripping and live dancing. Meanwhile, club owners would face even harsher consequences — including felony charges — if they violate the law or are caught allowing unlicensed performers to work. Entertainers themselves could face misdemeanor charges for violations. Lawmakers say one of the biggest reasons for this move is to give police faster access to verified identification, making it easier to shut down trafficking operations and hold club owners accountable.
Supporters of the bill argue that it could actually protect dancers. Having licenses and verified identities could make it harder for traffickers to hide victims inside strip clubs, and easier for law enforcement to spot illegal activity. It could also legitimize stripping as an official, regulated profession — similar to how bartenders, security guards, and other nightlife workers are regulated. For dancers who work voluntarily, this could mean safer work environments, greater accountability from club owners, and clearer protections if something goes wrong. In theory, it’s about turning a loosely regulated industry into one with actual structure and safeguards.
But critics and dancers themselves may see it differently. Licensing requirements could create new barriers for people trying to earn a living, especially those with past convictions or complicated immigration status. It also raises privacy concerns — many dancers rely on anonymity for personal safety, and having their identities registered with the state could expose them to risk. Plus, there’s always the fear that regulations like this end up targeting workers more than the systems exploiting them. As the bill moves forward — and lawmakers continue making adjustments — it’s clear this isn’t just about strip clubs. It’s about control, safety, survival, and who decides how adult entertainers exist within the law.
Oklahoma Lawmakers Want Strippers To Get Licensed — Here’s What The Bill Would Do was originally published on cassiuslife.com
