Chap. 123.—An ACT to provide for the regulation of public dance halls located
in counties adjoining cities of fifty thousand inhabitants or more and in
counties having a density of population of more than three hundred per
square mile according to the last United States census. [S B 124]

Approved March 9, 1926.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That no
person, firm or corporation shall, in any county adjoining a city of
fifty thousand inhabitants or more or in counties having a density of
population of more than three hundred per square mile according to
the last United States census, operate or conduct a public dance hall,
as herein defined, without a permit, which permit may be obtained
from the circuit court of the county, or the judge thereof in vacation,
on satisfactory evidence that the applicant is a proper person to re-
ceive thesame. Such permit may be revoked at any time by the court
or judge granting the same.

2. A public dance hall, as herein defined, shall be construed to
mean any place where dancing is permitted to which an admission
fee is charged or for which compensation is in any manner received
either directly or indirectly, or where refreshments are served for
compensation either before or after dancing. This act, however,
shall not apply to dances held for benevolent or charitable purposes,
or when the same are conducted under the auspices of religious or
educational organizations.

3. It shall be unlawful for any person, association of persons or
corporation conducting a public dance hall to allow any person under
the age of eighteen (18) years to enter or remain in such dance hall
while dancing is being conducted therein, unless accompanied by a
parent or legal guardian, or by a brother or sister over the age of
twenty-one (21) years, or except with the written consent of such
parent or legal guardian.

4. Any person, firm or corporation violating any provisions of
this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof,
shall be fined not less than fifty nor more than five hundred dollars
for each offense.

5. Nothing in this act contained shall be construed as exempting
any such public dance hall from the payment of any license tax im-
posed by existing law.

Provided, however, that the provisions of this act shall not apply
to any county adjoining a city having a population in excess of one
hundred thousand and not in excess of one hundred and sixty-five
thousand as.shown by the United States census of nineteen hundred
and twenty.

Provided, further, that this act shall not apply to any county ad-
joining a city having a population of not less than fifty thousand nor
more than sixty thousand inhabitants, as shown by the United States
census of nineteen hundred and twenty.