TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida House lawmakers are slated to discuss the Protection of Children Act, SB 1438, which aims to prevent kids from being exposed to live adult entertainment.

However, opponents worry it will affect drag performances. 

State Rep. Randy Fine of Brevard County is the sponsor of the House version of the bill.

“We’re not saying they can’t take their kids to a drag show. Our bill says they can’t take their child to adult live entertainment, as we’ve defined in the bill,” said Fine. "There is a right to parent your child, but there are guardrails. You can't beat your child with a stick, you can't chose not to feed them, you can't say they can't be educated — you have no right to abuse your child and we think sexualizing children is child abuse."

The bill penalizes businesses that knowingly admit a child into live adult performances, such as something that depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, or specific sexual activities. This includes lewd exposure of prosthetic breasts.

The bill, in part, states that “lewd exposure” of prosthetic breasts would determine if a performance is for adults.

Individuals who violate the proposed law could face a misdemeanor charge. Businesses that knowingly violate the proposed law will face a $5,000 fine, and a second violation results in a $10,000 fine.

Opponents worry the language in the bill could prevent drag appearances in events like parades.

“Let’s be honest. Let’s stop calling bills ‘parental rights,’” said Democratic State Sen. Shevrin D. Jones during a floor debate. “Let’s start calling them what they really are. When you’re muzzling a certain group of people, and it’s for a certain group of parents, and not all groups of parents.”

HB 1438 is on the Special Order calendar for the Florida House.