Larkin Bill To Increase Age Of "juice Bar" Employees Becomes Law

William J. Larkin Jr.

July 19, 2007

Eighteen is now the minimum age for women working nude or topless in establishments not controlled by the State Liquor Authority according to a new law sponsored by Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson).

"Believe it or not, night clubs that are not regulated by the State Liquor Authority have been allowed to hire 16-and-17-year-old children to ‘entertain’ patrons," said Senator Larkin. "Too many young people under the age of eighteen have been exploited because of the loophole in this law. The so-called ‘Juice Bars’ that have been hiring them to perform dances unclothed or with sexual content will no longer be able to take advantade of them. I have been calling for a change in the law for several years and I am very pleased that it has finally happened."

The Larkin bill has become Chapter 160 of the Laws of 2007. Under the legislation, juice bar employers who hire workers under 18 would be subject to up to a $1,000 fine for the first violation; up to $2,000 for the second violation; and up to $3,000 for the third or more violations.