Indecent Exposure Ban Passes

Legislation that would make indecent exposure a crime in Idaho passed the Senate on a unanimous vote Monday.

Law enforcement officials and prosecutors asked for the law, said Sen. Clyde Boatright, R-Rathdrum. The only existing state law addressing indecent exposure is the “obscene live conduct” law, which is designed to address performances such as strip-tease acts that cross the line into obscenity.

Under the bill, indecent exposure would be a misdemeanor on the first offense, and a felony on the second offense.

Sen. Moon Wheeler, R-American Falls, asked if it would apply to someone like himself who might go on a rafting trip and need to relieve himself during “long days on the rivers.”

Boatright said it wouldn’t, because the bill addresses exposure of one’s genitals “willfully and lewdly” with the intent to offend someone. “I don’t believe that persons such as yourself would fall in that category,” Boatright said.

The bill now goes to the House.

, DataTimes