La Palma Backs Anti-Nudity Bill in Legislature

The City Council has given its support to a bill in the state Legislature that would allow local governments to ban public nudity, including nude dancing and nude juice bars.

The council, at its June 6 meeting, unanimously endorsed Assembly Bill 1200, a measure being carried by Assemblyman Jim Morrissey (R-Santa Ana). The bill would define public nudity and allow cities and counties to pass ordinances prohibiting it.

Sean Wallentine, legislative assistant to Morrissey, said in an interview that the assemblyman introduced the bill in response to growing concern in Orange County and elsewhere over proposed nude juice bars. Such bars allow waitresses to be totally unclothed.

“The nude juice bar movement is causing concern in many cities,” said Wallentine. “This bill would empower counties and cities to enact statutes that deal with public nudity.” Wallentine said a 1990 federal court decision allows local governments to control public nudity in general.

The council, in its resolution endorsing AB 1200, said, “The mores of a community should be set by its residents who have an inherent interest in protecting the health and welfare of members of the community.”

Wallentine said Morrissey’s anti-nudity bill failed by one vote to get out of committee this year but will be brought up for another hearing in January.