Indecent Exposure Bill Passed

Legislation making indecent exposure a misdemeanor on first offense and a felony on the second offense passed the House on a unanimous vote Thursday.

Prosecutors charging so-called “flashers” previously had to rely on Idaho’s “obscene live conduct” law, which is designed more for strip-tease acts that cross the line into obscenity.

Rep. Tom Dorr, R-Post Falls, said during the debate, “We have an interesting phenomenon that takes place up there where I live in the summertime regarding bathing suits, and the lack of coverage they allow.”

Dorr wondered whether the bill would apply to thong bathing suits, but it does not.

“To be honest, I don’t know what a thong bathing suit is,” said Rep. Paul Kjellander, R-Boise.

House Speaker Mike Simpson said, “You’ve probably never seen one - there’s not much of one there.”

After some laughter, Kjellander said, “They would have to expose the genitals. So I guess that depends on the nature of the bathing suit, or lack thereof.”

The legislation applies to intentional exposure with the purpose of offending someone.

The bill already has passed the Senate. It now goes to the governor.