Topeka- from www.ktka.com – It’s an unlikely place for strippers, but Thursday at the Capitol, a House Committee discussed a bill that those in the industry say could cripple the adult entertainment business.

Philip Cosby, an advocate for children and family values, says the bill protects small communities that couldn’t otherwise do battle with the adult entertainment industry.

“Of course they pretend that they are adults, gentlemen, that they are somehow a positive influence on the community,” says Cosby.

John Samples is the owner of “Baby Dolls” and “Club Orleans” in Topeka. The two employ 65 people, and generate $900,000 per year in pay roll. “The clubs, even though they are gentlemen’s clubs are the number one and number two bars in the city of Topeka. The reason for that is that they are neighborhood bars they provide entertainment in a safe environment,” says Samples.

The bill would ban nudity and make it illegal for entertainers to come within six feet of patrons. But one of the most stringent changes would be the hours of operation; no sexually oriented business could be open between midnight and 6 a.m.

Cosby says that if the bill makes it on to the house floor he’s sure it will pass, but making it out of committee will be the real test. He says the adult entertainment industry has a lot of money to fight the legislation.