Occupational Licensing vs. Privacy

Is the license is another tool for the county to collect more money, or are there requirements to obtain it? That would be the test to figure out if it's another form of taxation, or something that shows skill. And, if there are skill tests involved, I nominate Don to be the licensing examiner.

If they have to have regular testing for health reasons, then I'd think the information would be private. (That's why I'm leaning towards a tax collection scheme, rather than any real proficiency in pole-dancing.)

As for their privacy, I'm all for that. Who knows what kind of trouble they might have with family, or stalkers, or any other off-the-rails person that might take an interest. While you should be aware that this sort of job will expose you to a higher risk of crazies, (and the possibility of coming into contact with people that aren't squeaky clean as far as the law in concerned), I would defend their right to some sort of privacy. There are a lot of single mothers that fall between the cracks as far as legitimate government assistance is concerned. They may be desperate enough to do this to keep their kids fed, and housed, in a decent neighborhood. Putting mom's name out there to satisfy someone's cheap thrill isn't worth it.

Here's the actual code info for Tacoma: http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/taxlicense/regulatorylicense/6b.30 info.pdf

It seems to me as if the registration and background check info might be an effort to weed out the criminal element in adult entertainment.

When I was a massage therapist in Seattle in the mid-80s, there was a statute requiring anyone who wanted to operate an office for massage treatments to get a 'Massage Parlor' license. When I went to the city offices to get the form and pay for the license, they couldn't find the form (this was before computers were available everywhere to do stuff like this). In fact, they told me, I was the first person in the memory of anyone working there to have ever applied for a massage parlor license.

I also had to give the city of Bellevue my fingerprints to practice there. At the time, no other health care workers had to give fingerprints in order to work. I don't know if that's changed. That clearly was an effort to track possible criminals, since massage has not always been a squeaky clean profession in some places.

Obviously we should "let the market handle it".

caw

I would guess that's the reason, too. To try to deter criminal elements that might want to get into the adult entertainment business there.

Karen Junker said:

That clearly was an effort to track possible criminals, since massage has not always been a squeaky clean profession in some places.

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You mean all those shady neon-lit walkups with names like "Osaka Spa Massage Parlor" might not be entirely legitimate establishments administering therapeutic shiatsu?

Don said:

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I wonder if clowns, comedians and musicians are required to have an "entertainer's license?" What about writers, for that matter? They're entertainers. How many clowns, comedians, musicians and writers are subject to random search and photography of their tattoos?

What possible legitimate reason could there be for maintaining a database of strippers?

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He's opening a new club and wants to hire the best in the business?

I wonder if they have to pass a licensing exam? Where do I go to apply for a job as a stripper examiner? Is the exam pass-fail, or are there grades? What separates a Grade-A stripper from a Grade-B stripper? Or are the rankings more beef-like; Prime vs. Choice?

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Perhaps they watch them while also watching the movie "10" starring Bo Derek.

Synonym said:

Is the license is another tool for the county to collect more money, or are there requirements to obtain it?

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Surely there are SOME requirements, otherwise there's no plausible deniability!

clintl said:

I would guess that's the reason, too. To try to deter criminal elements that might want to get into the adult entertainment business there.

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I am shocked to hear that there might be criminal elements in the adult entertainment business! #goldclub

Karen Junker said:

Here's the actual code info for Tacoma: http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/taxlicense/regulatorylicense/6b.30 info.pdf

It seems to me as if the registration and background check info might be an effort to weed out the criminal element in adult entertainment.

When I was a massage therapist in Seattle in the mid-80s, there was a statute requiring anyone who wanted to operate an office for massage treatments to get a 'Massage Parlor' license. When I went to the city offices to get the form and pay for the license, they couldn't find the form (this was before computers were available everywhere to do stuff like this). In fact, they told me, I was the first person in the memory of anyone working there to have ever applied for a massage parlor license.

I also had to give the city of Bellevue my fingerprints to practice there. At the time, no other health care workers had to give fingerprints in order to work. I don't know if that's changed. That clearly was an effort to track possible criminals, since massage has not always been a squeaky clean profession in some places.

Click to expand...

I imagine that's the purpose of the licenses. I know in certain places I've been strip clubs and massage parlors have basically been fronts for brothels and human smuggling. I can't really see someone with a license doing those acts since it makes it allows law enforcement to much more easily keep an eye on things.

I am kind of surprised that they'd make everything public in this case. The nature of the businesses isn't exactly the type that you'd want just any random person to be able to get personal information. There's a reason why strippers often have stage names.

A free market run by guys with names like Tony Soprano will surely be much safer.

So, are clowns, musicians, etc made to get entertainment licenses? I mean I'd guess with like clowns and magaicians and anyone who might get hired out to a b'nei mitzvah the licensing requirement might be "to protect the children" (i.e. a registered sex offender would not be able to get one). But, you know, strippers on the job tend to not have close contact with children.

I didn't see any rules about clowns, magicians, etc.

The thing about strippers (and owners, etc.) is that there is no test involved, except filling out the license forms, given them your money and your fingerprints, and passing the background check.

The massage license now requires that you pass a course -- because some of the owners of the schools got together and lobbied for that. When I got licensed, the classes were about 30 hours, taught over the course of a month. Now, they're almost 8 months, full time and cost thousands of dollars.

I think it's no coincidence that certain people in an industry can use health and safety as justification for getting the government to require regulation that will drive people to their business.

Guess what? Even shady people can go to school, get a license and pass a background check.

Well, ID on file with a picture would be nice, because of the human trafficking angle. Checking back in often is also probably a good idea.

I don't think the information should be public, but I do think that the government needs to make an effort to fight slavery. Regulation and inspections of businesses known to be fronts for it are one of the most obvious ways to do that. They need to do it more with agriculture and manufacturing workers, too, imho (in the US).

It has to be well thought out, though. If it's just bureaucratic BS, that just adds problems, I think.

What I think is even more of a problem is when women use drugs/alcohol to avoid feeling the feelings involved with sex work -- and they get those substances from their employer/pimp. Most of the time they still have to pay for them or work them off. But if anyone tried to make rules/laws about that, they'd probably just start with drug-testing the workers -- in the same way that prostitutes are made the criminals and not much is done about their customers or pimps.