Rep. Lett Opposes House Bill 249, Urges Caution Against Solutions to Manufactured Problems

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Crystal Lett (D-Columbus) today voted “NO” on House Bill (HB) 249, the Indecent Exposure Modernization Act. HB 249 would modify language around public obscenity and adult cabarets in the Ohio Revised Code. Drag performances would remain legal in “adult cabarets” but would be prohibited in other locations if the performance is deemed “harmful to minors” or “obscene” and occur where at least one minor could be present. 

“We are entering dangerous territory when the state is legislating vague definitions of obscene materials. Not only is this concerning from a First Amendment standpoint, but I question the necessity for this legislation. I’m not sure why, as legislative body, we continue to debate anything but how to help Ohioans. People can barely afford food, housing, medicine, or their electricity bills. The state legislature is not only aware of this fact but continues to ignore it. We must refocus our priorities for the sake of the people who put us here. None of the bills we voted on today, including HB 249, address the issue of affordability in Ohio. There are multiple bills that have been introduced during this General Assembly that attempt to reform energy costs and provide meaningful property tax relief-yet none of them were on the House Floor today,” said Rep. Lett.

The bill passed 63-30 out of the House and is now in the Senate awaiting committee assignment.