Ohio House Bill 249
Ohio House Bill 249 , also known as the Indecent Exposure Modernization Act, is a proposed law in the US state of Ohio that would restrict cabaret to adult locations only and would consider any public performer expressing a gender identity differing from their biological sex as a cabaret performer. It is generally seen as a ban on public drag performances. It is identical to House Bill 245, a failed 2024 bill.
Provisions
House Bill 249 would restrict cabaret performers to only being allowed to perform in adult spaces. It includes a specific provision that considers public performers who express a gender identity differing from their biological sex as adult cabaret, which would include drag performers. It defines allowed adult spaces which include nightclubs, certain restaurants, and other spaces which are restricted to adults.Besides performers expressing a different gender identity from their sex, the bill would similarly restrict strippers, go-go dancers, and topless dancers to adult spaces as well. It would be considered a first-degree misdemeanor if such a performance took place with a minor present and a fourth-degree felony if it is an obscene performance with minors under thirteen years old present.