SALT LAKE CITY — As the 2023 Utah Legislative Session rolls on, discussions and debates about a variety of issues continue to be held. Among those, one Utah lawmaker wants to require public buildings to post signs when they host events meant for adults.

Rep. Colin Jack (R-St. George) says H.B. 329 would let local leaders decide what is and isn’t suitable for children.

“This doesn’t take away any authorities of the City Council,” Jack told KSL NewsRadio. “It just tells them that they should evaluate their events, and if they decide to permit it.”

Evaluating events meant for adults

He says if a City Council decides to permit an event, it needs to evaluate whether it’s adult content or not. If an event is determined to have adult content, then it is the responsibility of the city to place signs in the building warning parents of the content.

“Just like there are at movie theaters, right?” Jack said. “There’s a movie rating, however, accurate or inaccurate. But (with) the movie rating, then the parent will know if it’s an R rated movie or a PG movie.”

Jack says he’s not trying to define what constitutes and adult event.

“Deliberately, we’re not defining what is adult content,” he said. “And we’re not proscribing or prohibiting any particular content. We’re just saying that every city is different or county. And so this is saying that St. George doesn’t have to be like Salt Lake and Blanding doesn’t have to be like St. George. 

Jack says not all cities will be the same.

“Different cities will have different community standards,” he said. “And they can make their own determination. And then the parents can make a determination on their community if this is going to be an event they want to go to.”

The bill is now in the House Committee. 

 

Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News can be heard on weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m.

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