The County Council is considering legislation that would prevent organized crime from having ties to the county's commercial bingo parlors.

The bill, developed over 10 months by a task force, was introduced to the council Monday night. The county administration also introduced a bill restricting the location of adult bookstores and peep shows.

Both bills are set for public hearings Nov. 18.

The county revoked bingo licenses last year for three establishments, including Bingo World on Belle Grove Road in Brooklyn Park, when officials found that Stephen B. Paskind of Florida, who held those licenses, associated with organized crime figures at a bingo hall he owns in Florida.

Six reputed mobsters were indicted on charges they laundered money through Bingo World, supplying Paskind with more than $1 million. Paskind was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the case. Bingo World is operating under a court agreement.

The proposed bill strengthens the county's current regulations, which deny licenses to applicants who lack "good moral character." The bill adds specifics to that vague definition, denying licenses to owners and managers with ties toorganized crime or gambling convictions and requiring them to submitto background checks.

The bill also reduces the number of bingo licenses from seven to five, restricting owners to one license each.

The peep show bill would strengthen zoning regulations affecting peep shows, said Anne Hatcher, license administrator for the county Department of Inspections and Permits.

The legislation would prohibitadult bookstores, peep shows and movie theaters from locating within1,000 feet of homes, schools, libraries, parks, day-care centers, churches or other adult entertainment establishments.

Also under thebill, the inside of peep show booths, where X-rated movies are shown, must be open, lighted and visible from a manager's station.