[Adopted 4-13-1942 by L.L. No. 1-1942, approved 4-13-1942]
No child under the age of 16 years shall be admitted to any
theater unaccompanied by a parent, guardian or other adult person
unless such theater is licensed pursuant to and complies with the
provisions of this article.
The Mayor may issue a license to any theater within the City
of Mount Vernon where motion pictures are shown, for the admission
of unaccompanied children between the ages of eight and 15 years,
both inclusive, upon the payment of a yearly fee of $10 in addition
to the regular theater license fee and upon its compliance with the
conditions herein set forth as follows:
A.
Each owner, operator or manager of such licensed theater shall set
aside a separate section of seats on the main or orchestra floor of
such theater to be used exclusively for children unaccompanied by
adults. Adults shall in no event be admitted to such section while
it is reserved for children. The size of such section may be varied
at different times, and such section as set aside shall be clearly
marked or designated.
B.
A seat in such section shall be provided for each unaccompanied child
admitted to such licensed theater, and such children shall not be
permitted to stand.
C.
Unaccompanied children shall not be admitted to any such licensed
theater during the time when their school classes are in session.
No unaccompanied children shall be admitted to such theater after
5:00 p.m., except that during July and August, such children may be
admitted during the entire day until 6:00 p.m.
D.
Each theater licensed under the provisions of this article shall
provide at least one matron who shall be in attendance at all times
during the time that unaccompanied children are present. Each such
matron shall be licensed by the Department of Public Health upon payment
of a license fee of $2, to be paid by the owner, operator or manager
of such theater, which Department shall furnish appropriate means
of identification which shall be worn conspicuously while such matron
is in attendance. Each applicant for a license as matron shall qualify
by such physical or other examinations as the Commissioner of Public
Health shall prescribe as relevant to the functions to be performed
by such matron, and shall file with the Police Department impressions
of the fingers of her right hand and left hand. Such impressions shall
be placed upon forms furnished by the Chief Inspector of the Police
Department, the impressions to be taken under his supervision or of
someone designated by him. No license shall be issued hereunder until
after the investigation and examination of the fingerprint impressions
and the receipt of a report of good character from the Police Department.
E.
Any section of seats set aside for children pursuant to this article
shall be nearest to the exits, and the obstruction of any accessible
exit or any aisle leading thereto is prohibited in accordance with
the ordinances of the City of Mount Vernon, New York.
F.
Any theater licensed for the admission of children unaccompanied
by a parent, guardian or other adult person shall provide such toilet
facilities as may be prescribed by the Building Code of the City of
Mount Vernon.
The Mayor may at any time revoke any license issued pursuant
to this article, for violation of any of the terms or conditions of
such license as herein set forth, but such license shall not be revoked
without notice and the licensee shall be entitled to a hearing.
