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Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County, announced the passing of legislation expanding protections for children from adult entertainment.<\/p>\n On Jan. 13, the Tennessee House of Representatives adopted an amendment to the Tennessee Adult Entertainment Act, which Todd was integral in spearheading in 2023.<\/p>\n The new amendment expanding protections, House Bill 884, is sponsored by Todd and Senator Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald.<\/p>\n More: <\/strong>Jackson Pride event continues to spur First Amendment debate<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n More: <\/strong>Tennessee\u00a0legislators try to halt Jackson Pride drag show, raising First Amendment concerns<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Selling or providing adult entertainment materials is currently prohibited within 1,000 feet of a private, public, or charter school, child care facility, family recreation center, public park or place of worship.<\/p>\n HB 884 expands such restrictions to apply to any establishment that hosts adult cabaret performance, mandating that they also abide by the 1,000-foot regulation.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Volunteer State leads the nation in passing common-sense policies to protect children from dangerous left-wing social policies,\u201d Todd said.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m proud to stand for Tennessee families and values, and I thank my Republican colleagues for passionately advocating for the most vulnerable in our society.\u201d<\/p>\n The Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, a venue where drag shows have been regularly held over the last several years, is situated between the Mother Liberty CME Church and Unity Park.<\/p>\n On Jan. 10, Todd posted a video to social media outside the Civic Center,<\/a> discussing what he described as a “loophole” in the current legislation that allows such adult entertainment to be held in public venues.<\/p>\n “House Bill 884 draws a clear line: one obscene performance is one too many,” he said in the video. “Public spaces should be family-friendly, period.”<\/p>\n When asked how the legislation could impact the Civic Center’s ability to host drag shows, Todd shared the following statement with The Jackson Sun.<\/p>\n “Residents across Madison County have expressed strong support for keeping explicit entertainment out of community gathering spots,” he said.<\/p>\n “This legislation is a common-sense step to protect children in Tennessee from inappropriate performances, whether at a strip club or a local civic center.”<\/p>\n If passed by the Senate, the amendment will go into effect on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n The original legislation prohibited “adult cabaret” performances, like drag shows, from public spaces where minors could view them and went into effect on May 1, 2025.<\/p>\nOrigin of adult cabaret restrictions<\/h2>\n