Pennsylvania Act 1927-461 — BALLROOMS AND PUBLIC DANCE HALLS, REGULATED IN TOWNSHIPS

Act text

BALLROOMS AND PUBLIC DANCE HALLS, REGULATED IN TOWNSHIPS
                  Act of May 11, 1927, P.L. 968, No. 461              Cl. 73
                                  AN ACT

     To provide for the licensing and regulation of public dance
        halls and ballrooms, and for the regulation and supervision
        of public dances and balls, in townships.

        Section 1.  Be it enacted, &c., That this is act shall apply
     to all townships within this Commonwealth.
        Section 2.  The term "public dance," or "public ball," as
     used in this act, shall be taken to include any dance or ball
     conducted in connection with instruction in dancing for hire,
     and any dance or ball to which admission may be had by the
     payment of a fee, or by the purchase, possession or presentation
     of a ticket or token, or in connection with which a charge is
     made for caring for clothing or other property, and any dance or
     ball to which the public generally may gain admission with or
     without the payment of a fee, except public dances or public
     balls conducted by posts or camps of honorably discharged
     soldiers, sailors, and marines, or by fraternal organizations,
     labor unions or organizations of firemen.
        The term "dance hall," or "ballroom," as used in this act,
     shall be taken to include any room, place or space in which a
     public dance or public ball, as herein defined, shall be held,
     and any room, hall or academy in which classes in dancing are
     held and instruction in dancing is given for hire.
        Section 3.  From and after the first day of June, one
     thousand nine hundred and twenty-seven, it shall be unlawful to
     hold or conduct any public dance or public ball, or to hold or
     conduct classes in dancing, or to give instructions in dancing
     for hire, in any hall, ballroom or academy within the limits of
     any township within this Commonwealth, unless the dance hall or
     ballroom or academy in which the same may be held shall have
     been duly licensed for such purposes.
        Application for such license shall be made by the proprietor
     of such dance hall or ballroom or academy to the county
     treasurer of the county wherein such township is situate, who is
     hereby authorized to issue the same.
        The fee payable for each license granted hereunder shall be
     as follows:
        In the case of dance halls maintained and conducted in
     connection with regularly established instruction in dancing,
     and exclusively used in such connection, the annual license fee
     shall be ten dollars.
        In the case of all other dance halls and ballrooms, the
     annual license fee shall be ten dollars.
        Each license granted hereunder shall expire on the first day
     of June of each year.
        The fee payable for each license granted hereunder shall be
     for the whole or any portion of a calendar year and all moneys
     received by way of license fees hereunder shall be paid into the
     general fund of the county.
        Every licensed public dance hall or ballroom or academy shall
     post its license in a conspicuous place within the hall where
     the dance is held.
        Section 4.  Such district attorney may cause an investigation
     of all applications for public dance hall or ballroom licenses,
     to determine whether or not the dance hall, ballroom or academy
     sought to be licensed complied with the rules, regulations,
     ordinances, and laws applicable thereto; and, in making such
     investigation he shall, when desired, have the assistance of the
     State police, and the county detective of such county, and of
     the constable or constables of the township.
        Section 5.  No license for a public dance hall or ballroom or
     academy shall be issued until it shall be ascertained that the
     place for which it is issued complies with and conforms to all
     laws, ordinances, health and fire regulations applicable
     thereto, and is a safe and proper place for the purpose for
     which it shall be used, properly ventilated, and supplied with
     sufficient toilet conveniences.
        Section 6.  The license of any public dance hall or ballroom
     or academy may be forfeited or revoked by the district attorney,
     for disorderly or immoral conduct on the premises, or upon proof
     that the dance hall, ballroom or academy was frequented by
     disorderly or immoral persons, or for the violation of any of
     the laws of the United States of America, or this Commonwealth,
     or the rules, regulations, ordinances, and laws governing or
     applying to public dance halls, ballrooms or academies or public
     dances, or for permitting or tolerating the patrons thereat to
     violate such laws, ordinances, rules or regulations. If, at any
     time, the license of a public dance hall, ballroom or academy
     shall be forfeited or revoked, at least six months shall elapse
     before another license or permit shall be granted for dancing on
     the same premises.
        Section 7.  All public dance halls or ballrooms or academies
     shall be kept at all times in a clean, healthful, and sanitary
     condition, and all stairways and other passages and all rooms
     connected with public dance hall, ballroom or academy shall be
     kept open and well lighted.
        Section 8.  All public dance halls, ballrooms, and academies
     shall be subject to inspection by the State police, the county
     detective of the county, and the constables of the township, at
     all reasonable times, and whenever they are open for dancing,
     instruction in dancing or for any other purpose.
        Any State police officer, county detective of the county, or
     constable of the township, wherein a public dance hall, ballroom
     or academy is situated, shall have the power to cause the place,
     hall or room where any public dance or ball is given, to be
     vacated, whenever any provision of any law or ordinance with
     regard to public dances and public balls is being violated, or
     whenever any indecent act shall be committed, or when any
     disorder of a gross or vulgar character shall take place
     therein.
        Section 9.  It shall be unlawful, after nine o'clock post
     meridian, to permit any person to attend or take part in any
     public dance who has not reached the age of sixteen years,
     unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
        Section 10.  All public dances shall be discontinued and no
     public dances shall be held on Sunday; and all public dance
     halls shall be closed on or before the hour of one o'clock ante
     meridian, except when such extensions of time would provide for
     public dances on Sunday: Provided, however, That, upon the
     application of a bona fide organization or society, and upon an
     investigation by the proper authority, the county treasurer may
     grant such organization or society a permit to continue a dance
     until two o'clock ante meridian.
        Section 11.  Any person, persons, society, club or
     corporation who shall violate the provisions of this act, shall
     be subject to a penalty of twenty-five ($25) dollars, to be
     recovered, with costs, as debts of like amount are now by law
     recoverable.