The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Friday morning and advanced three bills regarding governing cooperatives, indecent exposure in school locker rooms, and adult cabaret performances.
Senate Bill 723 would clarify state law governing cooperation between West Virginia law enforcement agencies and agencies in bordering states.
The bill updates definitions and outlines procedures for temporary assistance between state, local, and bordering-state law enforcement agencies.
One of the terms updated in the bill is “law-enforcement agency,” clarifying that the definition includes federal, state, and local agencies authorized to enforce criminal law, such as State Police, municipal police departments, sheriffs’ offices, and the Division of Forestry.
The bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage.
Originating Bill 1 would expand the crime of indecent exposure.
Senator Ryan W. Weld (R – Brooke, 01) raised concerns about the bill’s vagueness, noting that it does not clearly define “undresses” and giving the example that even removing a sweatshirt could potentially be considered a violation.
The bill is intended to clarify the offense of indecent exposure, including incidents such as a person undressing in a locker room designated for the opposite sex.
Weld proposed an amendment specifying that any acts of indecent exposure described in the bill would be prohibited in locker rooms designated for the opposite sex.
The amendment removes the word “undresses” from the bill and defines indecent exposure by reference to the acts listed in the subsection.
The amendment was rejected.
The bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage.
Senate Bill 590 would make it a criminal offense to perform an adult cabaret where it could be seen by a minor.
The bill defines “adult cabaret performances” as a performance in a location other than an adult cabaret that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to the prurient interest, or similar entertainers, regardless of consideration.
A first violation would be a misdemeanor, while a second offense would be a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
The bill was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation of passage.
