The Children's Bureau of the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) warned yesterday that it is illegal for dance clubs to admit children or youths if their business involves "immoral" activities.
The Children and Juveniles Welfare Law (兒童及少年福利法), passed on May 28 last year, removed dance halls from the list of venues that were proscribed for minors.
It could however still be illegal, under Article 28 of the law, for a dance hall to admit minors if it engages in certain activities, such as engaging in the sex trade, offering pornographic electronic games, or allowing gambling, pornography and violence in any form.
"Before the passing of the new law, dance halls were considered illegal venues for children and youths. However, times have changed and young people see dancing as a recreational activity. Therefore, during the legislative process, the authorities felt that this ban on dance halls should be lifted," said Tseng Ping-chen (曾平鎮), an officer with the bureau.
But dance venues that allow certain activities to take place on their premises may not, as a result, allow minors to enter. Violation of the law will make the venue owner liable for a fine of between NT$20,000 and NT$100,000.
In addition, the MOI also warned against underage drinking and smoking.
According to Article 26 of the law, if parents permit their underage children to consume liquor, cigarettes or illegal drugs, they will face a fine between NT$10,000 and NT$50,000.
Anyone who provides liquor, cigarettes or betel nut to underage individuals will face a fine between NT$3,000 and NT$15,000, and anyone who provides illegal drugs will face a fine between NT$40,000 and NT$300,000.
In the past, dance halls had been considered morally dubious entertainment places requiring special regulation and forbidden to minors, along with bars and KTVs. Tseng said that this attitude seemed outdated and as a result they had now been removed from the list of "special" entertainment businesses.
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