SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 6012

BYSenators McCaslin and Tanner

Revising provisions relating to indecent exposure.

Senate Committee on Judiciary

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 2, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Talmadge, Chairman; Halsan, Vice Chairman; McCaslin, Moore, Nelson, Newhouse.

Senate Staff:Jon Carlson (786-7459)

                  April 14, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 13, 1987

BACKGROUND:

A 1983 Washington Court of Appeals decision held that, under the current statute,  an exposure of one's person must occur in a public place to constitute the crime of public indecency.  It remains doubtful whether an individual can be convicted of public indecency where the offense occurs in a private place.

SUMMARY:

The crime of public indecency is renamed as the crime of indecent exposure.  For a person to be guilty of the crime of indecent exposure, the exposure must be made intentionally.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Art Curtis, Clark County Prosecutor

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

A police officer who has probable cause to believe that a person has committed or is committing an act of public indecency may arrest that person without a warrant.