Opinion ID: 1152999
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Licensing Scheme

Text: Respondents argue that the 14-day processing period for managers' licenses established in BCC § 5.08.040(C)(3), with no issuance of temporary licenses during this period, is an unconstitutional prior restraint. Respondents point out that section (C)(4) provides for the issuance of temporary licenses to dancers, but not to managers. We find that a 14-day delay in issuing a manager's license is similar to the revocation and suspension of an operator's license in JJR, Inc. The delay in issuing a manager's license suppresses future expression because the City permits nude dancing only if licensed managers are present. Although in JJR, Inc., we stated that a provision revoking or suspending licenses was constitutional if it provided for a stay pending judicial review, no such procedural safeguards would cure the constitutional infirmities of BCC § 5.08.040(C)(3). JJR, Inc., 126 Wash.2d at 10-11, 891 P.2d 720. Therefore, we hold that the City's failure to provide managers with temporary licenses during the 14-day delay constitutes a prior restraint in violation of the Washington Constitution. Respondents also claim that BCC § 5.08.040(C)(1), which requires the disclosure of information such as recent criminal convictions and employment history, [4] violates privacy rights guaranteed by article I, section 7 of the state constitution. This court previously analyzed art. I, § 7 in Gunwall, covering factors 1, 2, 3, and 5. Gunwall, 106 Wash.2d at 65-68, 720 P.2d 808. We need only analyze factors 4 and 6, which are generally unique to the context presented by the individual case. State v. Johnson, 128 Wash.2d 431, 445, 909 P.2d 293 (1996). Under the fourth Gunwall factor we examine preexisting state law. Although Respondents point to the heightened protection of art. I, § 7, Br. of Resp't Deja Vu at 45, they cite only cases of warrantless search and seizure in which this court held that the state constitution offers more protection than the Fourth Amendment. See, e.g., State v. Stroud, 106 Wash.2d 144, 148, 720 P.2d 436 (1986) (warrantless search of automobile); State v. Boland, 115 Wash.2d 571, 578, 800 P.2d 1112 (1990) (warrantless search of garbage). Our decision in O'Hartigan v. Department of Personnel, 118 Wash.2d 111, 117, 821 P.2d 44 (1991) is more persuasive in this case. There the court recognized two types of interests protected by the right to privacy: the right to autonomous decisionmaking and the right to nondisclosure of intimate personal information, or confidentiality. In questions involving the latter right, the state constitution offers no greater protection than the federal constitution, which requires only application of a rational basis test. Id. at 117-18, 821 P.2d 44; In re Juveniles A, B, C, D, E, 121 Wash.2d 80, 97, 847 P.2d 455 (1993). The sixth factor considers whether the regulated matter is of particular state or local concern. Respondents merely state that the matter before the Court involves matters that are uniquely of local concern. Br. of Resp't at 41. Without more we are unpersuaded that the state constitution offers greater protection in this context. Because the interest in confidentiality or nondisclosure of personal information is not a fundamental right requiring utmost protection we conclude that a rational basis test applies to Respondents' privacy claim in this case. O'Hartigan, 118 Wash.2d at 117, 821 P.2d 44. The rational basis test requires that a regulation be carefully tailored to meet a legitimate governmental goal. Id.; BSA, Inc. v. King County, 804 F.2d 1104, 1111 (9th Cir.1986). Here the trial court found that the licensing requirements advance several legitimate goals. They protect minors, assure the correct identification of persons working in adult cabarets, enable the City to deploy law enforcement resources effectively, and detect and discourage the involvement of organized crime in the adult entertainment industry. We find that the disclosure provisions are valid under the rational basis test because they require only the type of information that would advance these goals. B.