City of Mount Vernon, NY Theaters Admitting Children

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.