Senate committee advances bill expanding Idaho indecent-exposure law to cover medically altered breasts

At a Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee hearing, members voted to send House Bill 270 to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation. The bill, presented by Representative Jeff Cornelis and Representative Tanner and sponsored in part by Nampa City Council member Sebastian Griffin, would amend Idaho Code 18-40116 to clarify the statute’s coverage of “willful” and “lewd” indecent exposure to include breasts that have been hormonally or medically altered to appear like developed female breasts.

Supporters said the change fills what they described as a loophole law enforcement has encountered at public events. Representative Jeff Cornelis (R., District 12) told the committee the bill “just simply says, cover up when you're in public” and that it is not intended to target any particular group. Sebastian Griffin, Nampa City Council member, said he observed individuals exposing themselves at a public park event and that local police told him they lacked clear statutory authority to act. “We have seen instances … and…