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Proposed St. Petersburg Law Bans Minors from Bars, Instates Curfew

Sex shops such as this one, Intim (Intimacy) are the target of Milonov's latest initiative. M. Stulov

The conservative St. Petersburg lawmakers who first passed the anti-gay propaganda law now notorious in the West are at work on a law that would create a state-enforced curfew for minors while banning them from bars and sex shops.

A bill imposing the restrictions passed its first reading in the St. Petersburg legislature on Wednesday with a vote of 28 for and 10 against, Itar-Tass reported.

The bill was submitted by Valery Milonov, the deputy best known for co-authoring the bill that became a blueprint for the federal law banning propaganda of "nontraditional sexual relations" among minors.

The measure would bar children under 18 from entering sex shops as well as bars and restaurants focused on the sale of beer and wine.

Milonov has proposed punishing violations with fines of 20,000 ($600) rubles for establishments and 5,000 rubles for individuals.

During the curfew proposed by the bill, minors would not be allowed in public places, including entertainment centers, public transport and sports facilities.

"Not one sensible child would be in a bar. Not one right-minded parent would send their child on a commuter train at night," Milonov said of the new legislation.

The curfew would extend from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. for children up to 16 years old, with an additional hour of freedom up to 11 p.m. added in the summer months, Interfax reported.

Young people between the ages of 16 and 18 would face a year-round curfew of 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The bill's second reading is scheduled for Dec. 31.

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