Hearing held on Kansas strip club regulations

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Supporters of a bill that would restrict where strip clubs can operate and what activities take place inside say the changes are necessary to protect Kansas communities and values.

The Community Defense Act would establish where adult businesses can be located, ban lap dances and regulate dancing onstage in various levels of undress.

The measure before the House Federal and State Affairs Committee on Thursday surfaces two years after a similar attempt to regulate strip clubs died in the state Senate.

Phillip Cosby of the Kansas American Family Action of Kansas and Missouri says the bill will reduce the negative effects caused by strip clubs.

Opponents, who will testify Friday, argue the restrictions could cost Kansas as many as 1,000 jobs and are unnecessary.