Lima Reporter

State Representative Angie King (R-Celina) recently testified before the House Judiciary Committee regarding her legislation aimed at updating Ohio's obscenity laws. The bill, known as the Indecent Exposure Act, seeks to protect children and families from sexualized performances in public spaces.

The proposed legislation is a reintroduction of House Bill 245 from the previous General Assembly. It includes new language to focus on protecting children more effectively. The bill currently has forty-two cosponsors.

The Indecent Exposure Act proposes two main changes to public indecency law. First, it replaces the term 'private parts', which lacks definition in Ohio law, with 'private area', a term that is clearly defined. Second, it introduces an exemption for breastfeeding women concerning public indecency offenses.

"House Bill 249 has one purpose, to protect Ohio children," said King. "I want to live up to the words, ‘Ohio is a great place to raise a family.’ This is an important piece of legislation that will give Ohio families a safe place within their communities where they can take their children without fear of their children being exposed to explicit material and performances, they’re not yet mature enough to understand."

The act also sets penalties for violations ranging from misdemeanors to fourth-degree felonies, depending on the circumstances of the crime.

House Bill 249 is scheduled for further hearings in the House Judiciary Committee.