Bill to license strippers unappealing

ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A New York state legislator said he is frustrated his bill to license strippers hasn't made it to center stage for the past seven months.

Democrat Felix Ortiz of Brooklyn submitted the bill in May and it's since been stuck in the Economic Development Committee in Albany, N.Y., the New York Daily News reported.

He said it's a bid to ensure dancers are of legal age, legally documented and not victims of sex trafficking. It also stipulates dancers must use their real names instead of stage names, the newspaper said.

Ortiz made inquiries recently about why the bill was being ignored and said he expects it to be taken up in February.

The newspaper said some of the opposition is apparently based on the fee for acquiring the license and the associated fines for unlicensed strippers and their employers.