This bill amends the current law regarding criminal trespass. It allows property owners to post their land to prohibit trespassing by using purple paint markings on trees, rocks, or posts. The markings must be vertical lines of at least 8 inches in length and one inch in width, placed between 3 and 5 feet from the ground, and no more than 100 yards apart. From January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, property owners using purple paint markings must also post signs with specific language at all commonly used entrances. Trespassing on land posted with purple paint markings or signs will be punishable by a violation for the first offense during that time period, and beginning January 1, 2026, it will be punishable under existing law.

The bill also establishes criminal penalties for removing, defacing, or destroying purple paint markings, signs, posters, or other property of another person. This offense will be a class B misdemeanor. The bill repeals the misdemeanor penalty for a second or subsequent offense of trespassing on land posted in accordance with the new provisions. The effective date of the bill is January 1, 2026, except for the repeal of the misdemeanor penalty, which takes effect immediately. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, as it may affect the judicial and correctional systems, but the exact costs are unknown.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 635:2, 635:4, 635:5