Norwalk Municipal Code Ch. 5.32 Escort Bureaus

As used in this chapter:

"Escort"

means:

Any person who, for hire or reward, accompanies others to or about social affairs, entertainment or places of amusement; or

Any person who, for hire or reward, consorts with others about any place of public resort or within any private quarters.

"Escort bureau"

means any business or agency which, for a fee, commission, hire, reward or profit, furnishes or offers to furnish escorts.

(Prior code § 7-10.1; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every person conducting, managing or carrying on any escort bureau shall first procure a permit and pay an annual fee in an amount which shall be as established by resolution of the City Council.

(Prior code § 7-10.2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Each application for a permit to conduct an escort bureau shall state the names and addresses of all escorts employed by or intended to be employed by the applicant. In addition, each application shall contain such other information relative to the intended place of business as is required by the Director, and shall be accompanied by an application fee in an amount as established by resolution of the City Council. The application fee shall be used for the purpose of defraying the costs and expenses involved in reviewing the application and conducting the required investigations. The application fee shall be nonrefundable, except upon approval by the City Council.

(Prior code § 7-10.3; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Upon receipt of the application, the Director shall refer the application to the appropriate City departments for such inspection of the premises and/or investigation as is customary and in addition shall refer the application to the Sheriff's Department for an investigation. The Sheriff's Department shall prepare and file with the Director a report as to whether the applicant is of good moral character and reputation, whether the business is to be conducted at a suitable location, and whether there exists any cause to believe that the business is intended to be operated as a subterfuge for the conduct of any unlawful or immoral business or practices. Upon receipt of the investigative reports, the Director shall authorize the issuance of the permit, subject to such conditions as he or she may deem necessary and appropriate, unless, in his or her judgment, grounds exist for denying the same.

In the event of such denial of the permit:

A. A copy of the reports submitted to Director shall be forwarded to the applicant at the address set forth in the application;

B. The applicant shall be provided a hearing before the Director relative to the reports which have been submitted; and

C. The applicant shall be advised of his or her right to present such testimony at such hearing as he or she may deem appropriate. The hearing shall be scheduled by the Director not less than 10 days after the date that the reports are forwarded to the applicant. The hearing may be continued from time to time as is deemed appropriate under the circumstances.

(Prior code § 7-10.4; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A permit to conduct an escort bureau shall not be issued to or in the name of any organization, group, corporation, partnership, or any other entity other than an individual.

(Prior code § 7-10.5; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The business may be carried on under a fictitious name in the manner provided by law if the Sheriff's Department first approves of the use of such name, and if the name is recorded pursuant to the provisions of the applicable law.

(Prior code § 7-10.6; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every escort shall register with the Sheriff's Department.

(Prior code § 7-10.7; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

An escort shall not be registered unless he or she first furnishes the Sheriff's Department satisfactory evidence of the good moral character of such escort. The Sheriff's Department may cancel the registration of any escort for cause. Thereafter an escort bureau shall not employ such escort.

(Prior code § 7-10.8; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

An escort bureau shall not hire or employ any escort who is not registered with the Sheriff's Department.

(Prior code § 7-10.9; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every escort bureau shall, within 24 hours, notify the Sheriff's Department of every change in personnel of escorts.

(Prior code § 7-10.10; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A person conducting an escort bureau shall not furnish any escort to, or accept employment from, any patron, customer or person to be escorted who is under 21 years of age, except at the special instance and request of the parent, guardian or other person in lawful custody of the person upon whose behalf the escort service is engaged.

(Prior code § 7-10.11; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A person conducting an escort bureau shall not employ as an escort any person under 21 years of age.

(Prior code § 7-10.12; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every person managing an escort bureau shall keep a record of every transaction showing:

A. The name of each escort employed, furnished or arranged for;

B. The name, address and telephone number of the patron or customer;

C. Such other information as the Sheriff's Department requires.

(Prior code § 7-10.13; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The records required by Section 5.32.130 shall be kept available by the permittee, open to the inspection of the Sheriff's Department and of any police officer. The permittee shall deliver such records or any portion thereof to the Sheriff's Department upon written request.

(Prior code § 7-10.14; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A permit to conduct an escort bureau may be suspended or revoked if the City Council finds:

A. That the permittee has committed, or caused, permitted, encouraged or condoned the commission of any lewd or immoral act or any act of prostitution; or

B. That the business has conducted in whole or in part as a subterfuge to facilitate or to conceal the conduct of any unlawful or immoral business or practice; or

C. The applicant has violated any of the conditions attached to the permit.

(Prior code § 7-10.15; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

This chapter shall not apply to the lawful business of any employment officer or employment agency licensed under State law which does not conduct an escort bureau.

(Prior code § 7-10.16; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)