Associated Press

Destiny, Candy and Angel will have to give their real names and addresses to the state of North Dakota under a bill that would require registration for strippers.

Police from Fargo and West Fargo say the so-called "sexually oriented business bill" should help crack down on prostitution and drug trafficking they associate with nude dancers. No license is currently required.

"It's common practice for the individuals who are participating as the service provider to use fictitious names, or stage names," said Mike Reitan, assistant police chief in West Fargo. "We don't have any way of identifying who these people are."

Sgt. Ross Renner, a spokesman for the Fargo Police Department, said many of the suspected violators are based in cities outside North Dakota, so it's difficult for investigators to monitor their activity.

"This would give police a little more control as to who's coming in and out of their cities," Renner said.

The bill defines a "sexually oriented'" business as an individual or commercial enterprise that advertises, offers or provides live nude entertainment for a fee, or in connection with any other transfer of money. The law would require someone who runs a such a business to register with the state tax commissioner.

Failing to register would be a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Renner said dozens of nude dancers in the Fargo area advertise online. They typically charge $100 to $200 an hour for providing entertainment "or whatever you want to call it," he said.

"Some are dancing. We're not saying that what everybody is doing is illegal," Renner said. "I would think those people who are following the law will welcome this bill. It will cut down on people coming into those areas." An employee from Fargo-based Naughty and Nice, who identified herself only as Bobie, said she believes the law would be impossible to enforce.

"You would have the same problem with people registering because dancers don't give their full name - ever," she said.

Renner and Reitan say the law would help protect customers, some of whom have reported thefts, assaults or other complaints.

Sen. Judy Lee, R-Fargo, a sponsor of the bill, said other professionals, such as home inspectors and contractors, have to register with the state.

"So really, in a far different career category, we're looking at doing the same thing," she said.

Lee said she introduced the bill at the request of police officials.

"I don't have any white horse I'm riding," she said. "In order to make sure that everybody abides by the rules, we've got to have some."The bill is SB2170.