Hong Kong Ordinances

KARAOKE ESTABLISHMENTS ORDINANCE - SECT 21

Regulations

(1) The Chief Executive in Council may by regulation provide for or in
relation to-

   (a)  the adequacy, suitability, maintenance, hygiene and use of apparatus
        or equipment in karaoke establishments;

   (b)  reports and information to be supplied to the licensing  authority in
        respect of karaoke establishments;

   (c)  factors to be taken into account by the licensing authority in
        deciding the suitability of places under section 5(3)(b);

   (d)  the design, structure, maintenance, hygiene and sanitation of
        karaoke establishments;

   (e)  the precautions to be taken against fire or other hazard likely to
        endanger the lives of persons on premises being used as karaoke 
        establishments;

   (f)  the fees to be charged for any matter prescribed or permitted by this
        Ordinance;

   (g)  the lodging of appeals under section 12;

   (h)  generally, carrying into effect the provisions of this Ordinance.

(2) Any regulation made under this section may-

(a) prohibit the performance of particular acts without the consent of the
licensing authority;

   (b)  authorize the licensing authority to require or prohibit the
        performance of particular acts; and

   (c)  require particular acts to be performed to the satisfaction of the
        licensing authority.

(3) Where the licensing authority is satisfied that the safety of a person
using a karaoke establishment will not be adversely affected, he may, by
notice in writing served on the person being the operator, keeper, manager or
otherwise having control of that karaoke establishment, waive wholly, partly
or conditionally the requirements of any regulation in respect of that
karaoke establishment and may amend or withdraw any such notice.

(4) A regulation made under this section may provide that a contravention
thereof shall be an offence punishable by a specified penalty not exceeding-

   (a)  on first conviction, a fine at level 5 and imprisonment for 6 months;
        and

   (b)  on a second or subsequent conviction, a fine at level 6 and
        imprisonment for 1 year, and in the case of a continuing offence,
        punishable by a further daily fine not exceeding $2000 for each day
        during which the offence continues.

(5) Any regulation made under subsection (1)( f ) may provide for a different
fee to be payable having regard to-

   (a)  the type or description of a karaoke establishment;

   (b)  the number of persons able to be accommodated in a karaoke 
        establishment;

   (c)  the total floor area of a karaoke establishment;

   (d)  whether or not a permit is to be granted, or a licence is to be issued
        in respect of a karaoke establishment and whether or not any such
        permit or licence is provisional, as the case may be, and the amount
        of any fee so provided need not be limited by reference to the amount
        of administrative or other costs incurred or likely to be incurred by
        the licensing authority in the discharge of his functions under this
        Ordinance.