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SF 5186

Exposure of a human breast alone is not indecent exposure establishment

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Alice Mann

The bill clarifies that exposing a human breast alone does not count as lewd exposure, gross lewdness, or lascivious behavior, effective July 1, 2026.

Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety
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Bill Summary · SF 5186

Summary of SF 5186 (2025-2026) — Minnesota

Title

Exposure of a human breast alone is not indecent exposure; amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 617.23, by adding a new subdivision.

Objective and Purpose

  • Establishes that the exposure of a human breast alone does not constitute lewd exposure, gross lewdness, or lascivious behavior.
  • Clarifies the legal interpretation of public exposure related to human breasts, aiming to differentiate it from prohibited indecent exposure offenses.

Key Provisions

  • New Subdivision in Statute 617.23 (Subd. 5: Exposure of human breast):
    • Explicitly states that exposing a human breast alone does not constitute lewd exposure, gross lewdness, or lascivious behavior.
  • Effective Date:
    • The provision becomes effective on July 1, 2026.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Individuals: Anyone subject to Minnesota public indecency statutes (as codified in § 617.23) who might have exposure involving a human breast. The bill specifies that such exposure, when limited to the breast, should not be treated as one of the listed offenses (lewd exposure, gross lewdness, or lascivious behavior).
  • Enforcement and Legal Interpretations:
    • Law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts would apply the new subdivision when evaluating cases involving exposure of a breast, potentially narrowing the scope of charges in such situations.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduction and First Reading: April 21, 2026.
  • Referral: Judiciary and Public Safety committee.
  • Effective Date of Provisions: July 1, 2026.
  • Legislative Status: Referred to committee; no further actions listed in the provided action history beyond introduction and referral.

Potential Implications

  • Legal Sandbox: Creates a specific exception within public indecency statutes, reducing potential charges of lewd exposure solely when the exposure is limited to the breast.
  • Gender and Public Safety Considerations: Aligns statutory language with evolving views on gender, body autonomy, and the treatment of female anatomy in public statutes; may influence debates on public decency standards.
  • Enforcement Clarity: Aims to reduce ambiguity for officers and prosecutors by codifying that breast exposure, in isolation, is not among the enumerated offenses.

If you’d like, I can provide a brief comparison with current Minnesota law on indecent exposure or help draft potential questions policymakers might consider regarding enforcement and constitutional considerations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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