MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Judiciary

By: Senator(s) King

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN INDECENT ACTS; TO ENACT DEFINITIONS; TO PRESCRIBE PUNISHMENT FOR VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) A person commits public indecency who, knowingly or intentionally, in a public place:

(a) Engages in sexual intercourse;

(b) Engages in deviate sexual conduct;

(c) Appears in a state of nudity; or

(d) Fondles the person's genitals or the genitals of another person.

(2) "Nudity" means the showing of the postpubertal human male or female genitals, pubic area, or buttocks with less than a fully opaque covering, the showing of the postpubertal female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any part of the nipple or areola, or the showing of covered male genitals in a discernibly turgid state.

(3) A person commits indecent exposure who, in a place other than a public place, where the person can be seen by persons other than invitees and occupants of that place, and with the intent to be seen by persons other than invitees and occupants of that place:

(a) Engages in sexual intercourse;

(b) Engages in deviate sexual conduct; or

(c) Fondles the person's genitals or the genitals of another person.

(4) A person who violates subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment not to exceed one (1) year, or fine not to exceed Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), or both. A person who violates subsection (3) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment not to exceed six (6) months, or fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.