The “strippers’ bill of rights” has been officially passed into law in Washington state, earning recognition as the most comprehensive set of protections for strippers in the country.

Governor Jay Inslee approved the bill, which enforces more secure working environments for individuals in the adult entertainment field and allows clubs to legally serve alcohol.

“My stance is that strippers are employees and they should receive equal treatment and safety measures as any other group of workers,” stated Senator Rebecca Saldaña of Seattle, the sponsor of the bill, in a press release. “If they are working at a legitimate establishment in Washington, they deserve the necessary measures to prevent exploitation, human trafficking, and mistreatment, just like all other employees.”

The recently passed legislation now dictates that all workers in establishments must undergo training to prevent instances of sexual harassment, recognize and report cases of human trafficking, effectively handle conflicts, and administer first aid. Additionally, security personnel must be present at all times, dressing room access must require a keypad code, and panic buttons must be installed in areas where performers may be isolated with clients.

According to Zack-Wu, the majority of dancers in the state work as independent contractors. They receive payment from customers and are then responsible for paying club fees for each shift. However, a new law has been implemented to restrict the fees that club owners can charge. These fees are now capped at either $150 or 30% of the dancers’ shift earnings, whichever is lower. Additionally, the law prohibits the imposition of late fees and other charges for unpaid balances.

The Department of Labor and Industries for the state will create the new regulations and instructions for implementing the modifications to workplace safety protocols outlined in the legislation by the beginning of the upcoming year.

The recently implemented legislation allows adult entertainment establishments to obtain liquor licenses. However, these licenses are contingent upon adhering to the updated safety regulations.

A group called Strippers Are Workers, which is led by dancers and has been active in the state since 2018, pushed for the implementation of regulations and the sale of alcohol.

According to Madison Zack-Wu, the campaign manager for the group, the organization’s actions were initiated due to the lack of regulations for individuals working at the 11 adult entertainment clubs in the state.

However, there were also worries that implementing the safeguards without generating income from alcohol purchases could result in the closure of certain clubs.

“We do not want clubs to close down currently or in the future, as this would not only lead to job loss for everyone involved, but also put them in even more precarious and desperate circumstances,” she had stated earlier.

The News Tribune in Tacoma was informed by Brian Smith, spokesperson for the State Liquor and Cannabis Board, that it may take more than a year to establish the liquor licensing procedure for the clubs.

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According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, only one other state has implemented measures to protect adult entertainers. In 2019, Illinois passed a law mandating that all adult entertainment establishments and other companies must have a written policy regarding sexual harassment.

Additionally, there have been other initiatives such as one occurring at a bar in Los Angeles and another at a strip club in Portland, Oregon where dancers have participated in a vote to unionize. Furthermore, in 2014, the Nevada Supreme Court made a decision stating that dancers at a certain Las Vegas club are considered employees and therefore, should receive minimum wage and other forms of protection.

“It is imperative that we address the negative perception surrounding the adult entertainment industry and acknowledge the humanity of those who are part of it,” stated Saldaña.