Revised streaming music bill introduced in Council

A revised bill to require dance venues that stream music to apply for special licenses was reintroduced in City Council on Thursday, after its first iteration sparked a chorus of complaints from the music industry.

Councilman Mark Squilla's bill would close a loophole in the current law that allows nightclubs that stream music to avoid getting a special assembly license, which is required of places where DJs and live performers play.

The first draft of the bill would also have required venues to keep a registry of names, phone numbers, and addresses of all musical acts that could be turned over to police. Squilla faced a firestorm of criticism in January from concertgoers and musicians, who said those provisions would discourage musicians from coming to the city and could violate civil liberties.

There is no registry in the bill introduced Thursday.

"Any place that would act as a nightclub would still need a license, whether they hired a live performer or whether they just had streaming music," Squilla said. "And maybe this would encourage them, hopefully, to hire back the DJs and performers, therefore enabling these people to have a little more work, instead of skirting the law by just playing from an iPod."

Puppy law. A bill banning the sale of pets from so-called puppy mills passed unanimously.

Councilman Kenyatta Johnson's bill would ban the sale of commercially bred pets. It is seen as a largely preventative measure, as there are no pet stores in Philadelphia known to be selling animals from such breeders. Johnson has said the bill targets breeders looking for places to sell their animals, who will have to avoid Philadelphia and cities with similar laws.

Nearly 125 cities across the country have passed similar ordinances. Advocates say the bill also encourages adoption of rescue animals.

Smoking policies. A bill requiring landlords to disclose their smoking policies passed Thursday. The law would apply to all apartments with three or more units.

"If I move into a building, I want to know if the person next to me smokes, because chances are I don't want that apartment," said Councilwoman Cindy Bass, who introduced the bill. "Most folks can't afford to move in, pay first month, last month rent and a security deposit, and then realize they're surrounded by smokers."

Bass also introduced a bill to make all parks and recreation centers more intergenerational and disability-friendly.

The bill is timed with Mayor Kenney's plans to rebuild many of the city's parks and recreation centers, and would require that all parks have play areas for children with special needs as well as accessible adult fitness areas.

Such playgrounds incorporate more colors and textures, which often resonate with people with developmental delays, Bass said.

"It's less about being ADA-compliant and much more about being welcoming to the community," Bass said, referring to the Americans With Disabilities Act. "Even if it is ADA-compliant, there's a good possibility that once you get in, there's nothing for you to do."

jterruso@phillynews.com 215-854-5506 @juliaterruso