News Release
For Immediate Release
December 13, 2001
 

GREENLEAF BILL SEEKS TO LIMIT LOCATION OF “ADULT” ESTABLISHMENTS

HARRISBURG—Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf, R-Montgomery/Bucks, is proposing legislation to block adult bookstores, adult movie theaters, and other such establishments from locating within 3,000 feet of an existing school or place of worship.

The bill’s 3,000 feet limitation would apply unless the governing body of a municipality, following a public hearing, specifically permits the location of an adult business near a school or place of worship.  Under such circumstances, all owners of the real property located within 3,000 feet of the proposed location of the adult facility would be provided with written notice of the hearing.

The legislation would not apply to adult establishments in operation prior to the effective date of the law, nor would it preempt municipal ordinances adopted prior to the effective date.  Local ordinances adopted subsequent to the passage of the proposal would override the proposed state law only if they are more restrictive with regard to the location of adult oriented businesses.

Greenleaf said the intent of his bill, which is currently gathering cosponsors in the Senate, is to mitigate the negative impact that adult establishments might have on schools or places of worship. “Such establishments are often associated with increases in crime and drug use.  Existing schools and churches should be protected from such problems, which are detrimental and offensive to those they serve,” Greenleaf said.