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H 186

INDECENT EXPOSURE – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding indecent exposure.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

House Bill H 186 updates indecent exposure laws in Idaho, clarifying definitions and penalties, while exempting breastfeeding, to reflect modern views on gender and bodily autonomy.

Reported Printed and Referred to Judiciary, Rules & Administration
#courts #criminaloffensesandprocedures #gender #obscenity
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 186

Summary of House Bill H 186: Indecent Exposure Amendments

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: H 186
  • Title: Indecent Exposure – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding indecent exposure.
  • Status: Reported Printed and Referred to Judiciary, Rules & Administration
  • Introduced: February 10, 2025
  • Classification: Bill
  • Subject: Courts, Criminal Offenses and Procedures, Gender, Obscenity

Purpose and Intent

House Bill H 186 aims to amend Idaho Code Section 18-4116, which governs the legal definitions and penalties associated with indecent exposure. The bill seeks to clarify what constitutes indecent exposure and to update the legal language to reflect contemporary understandings of gender and bodily autonomy.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several significant changes to the existing law:

  1. Clarification of Indecent Exposure:

    • Defines indecent exposure to include:
      • Willful and lewd exposure of genitals.
      • Exposure of developed female breasts, including the areola and nipple.
      • Exposure of adult male breasts that have been medically or hormonally altered to resemble female breasts.
      • Display of artificial breasts intended to resemble female breasts.
      • Display of toys or products resembling male or female genitals in public or in the presence of others who may be offended.

  2. Penalties:

    • A first-time offense remains classified as a misdemeanor.
    • A person convicted of a second or subsequent offense within five years may be charged with a felony, which could result in imprisonment for up to five years.

  3. Exemptions:

    • The bill explicitly states that the provisions do not apply to breastfeeding or the expression of breast milk for feeding a child.

Impact

  • Who is Affected:

    • Individuals who may be charged with indecent exposure under the revised definitions.
    • Law enforcement and judicial systems that will enforce the updated provisions.
    • The general public, particularly in contexts where indecent exposure laws are applicable.

  • Fiscal Impact:

    • The bill is noted to have no fiscal impact, meaning it does not increase or decrease state or local revenues or expenditures.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was introduced and referred to the Judiciary, Rules & Administration Committee on February 10, 2025.
  • An emergency clause is included, indicating that the bill is intended to take effect on July 1, 2025, allowing for immediate enforcement of the revised provisions.

Conclusion

House Bill H 186 seeks to modernize and clarify the legal framework surrounding indecent exposure in Idaho. By defining specific acts and establishing penalties for repeat offenders, the bill aims to address concerns related to public decency while also recognizing the rights of individuals in certain contexts, such as breastfeeding.

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

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