The Senate and House finalized and sent to the Governor legislation that will regulate billboards for sexually oriented businesses (SB 0266) and regulate adult entertainment advertising signs (SB 0879).

In some Michigan communities, billboards for sexually oriented businesses have caused some controversy with the display of explicit images or sexually suggestive content. Because billboards are on public display in places where the general public, including children, are exposed to them, some have suggested that there should be restrictions on the content of such advertisements. SB 266 would require a billboard that advertised a sexually oriented business to display only words or numbers, except that the billboard could display the business's registered trademark. The words could not describe or relate to a specified sexual activity or relate to a specified sexual activity or specified anatomical area. SB 879 prohibits owners or operators of sexually oriented businesses from erecting, constructing, or maintaining on the premises of that business a sign that advertised or identified the business and was visible outdoors unless the sign displayed only words or numbers, or both. This bill includes fines and penalties that can be sought by the state or the local unit of government as a nuisance.

Andy Schor is the Assistant Director of State Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. Contact him at (517) 908-0300 or by email at aschor@mml.org.

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