Bill Text: TX HB4378 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to a cause of action for drag performances performed in the presence of a minor.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 23-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-21 - Referred to State Affairs [HB4378 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB4378-Introduced.html
  88R12764 JES-F
 
  By: Toth H.B. No. 4378
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a cause of action for drag performances performed in the
  presence of a minor.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 4, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 100B to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 100B. LIABILITY FOR DRAG PERFORMANCE IN PRESENCE OF MINOR
         Sec. 100B.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
               (1)  "Drag performance" means a performance in which a
  performer exhibits a gender that is different than the performer's
  gender recorded at birth using clothing, makeup, or other physical
  markers and sings, lip syncs, dances, or otherwise performs in a
  lascivious manner before an audience.
               (2)  "Lascivious" means conduct of a sexual nature that
  is offensive to community standards of decency. The term includes
  the intentional exposure of genitalia in the presence of a minor.
               (3)  "Minor" means an individual who is younger than 18
  years of age.
         Sec. 100B.002.  LIABILITY FOR DRAG PERFORMANCE IN PRESENCE
  OF MINOR.  An individual who attends a drag performance as a minor
  may bring an action against a person who knowingly promotes,
  conducts, or participates as a performer in the drag performance
  that occurs before an audience that includes the minor if:
               (1)  the performance violates the prevailing standard
  in the adult community for content suitable for minors; and
               (2)  the person fails to take reasonable steps to
  restrict access to the performance by minors.
         Sec. 100B.003.  LIMITATIONS. A claimant may bring an action
  under this chapter not later than the 10th anniversary of the date
  the cause of action accrues.
         Sec. 100B.004.  DAMAGES. If a claimant prevails in an action
  brought under this chapter, the court shall award:
               (1)  actual damages, including damages for
  psychological, emotional, economic, and physical harm;
               (2)  reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred in
  bringing the action; and
               (3)  statutory damages of $5,000.
         Sec. 100B.005.  DEFENSES. (a)  It is an affirmative defense
  to an action brought under this chapter that:
               (1)  the defendant reasonably believed the minor was at
  least 18 years of age at the time the minor was allowed entry to the
  performance; or
               (2)  the minor displayed an apparently valid proof of
  identification issued by a governmental agency purporting to
  establish that the minor was at least 18 years of age to gain entry
  to the performance.
         (b)  It is not a defense to an action brought under this
  chapter that the minor was accompanied at the drag performance by
  the minor's parent or guardian.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of
  this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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