MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Judiciary

By: Senator(s) Lee

Senate Bill 2984

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-29-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE A FELONY OFFENSE OF INDECENT EXPOSURE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 97-29-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

97-29-31. (1) A person who willfully and lewdly exposes his person, or private parts thereof, in any public place, or in any place where others are present, or procures another to so expose himself, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) or be imprisoned not exceeding six (6) months, or both; provided, however, that if a person violating this section is over Twenty-one (21) years of age, and the person to whom the violator exposes himself is under Seventeen (17) years of age, or if a person over Twenty-one (21) years of age procures a person under Seventeen (17) years of age to so expose himself, the violator shall be guilty of a felony, and on conviction, shall be imprisoned in the custody of the department of corrections not to exceed five (5) years.

(2) Prosecution under this section shall not preclude prosecution for any other sexual crimes against children, but shall be in addition to any other offense prohibited by law.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.