This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to create a new felony offense of indecent exposure aimed specifically at individuals who expose their sex organs or anus to minors for sexual gratification. It defines indecent exposure as the intentional display of one's nude penis, vagina, or anus, and removes the previous exemption for breastfeeding, which is no longer deemed necessary. The legislation introduces enhanced penalties for repeat offenders, with a third offense leading to felony charges, fines up to $3,000, and imprisonment for one to five years. Additionally, those convicted of this new offense will be required to register as sex offenders, with updated registration requirements that include in-person registration and detailed personal information.

Furthermore, the bill increases penalties for individuals with prior convictions related to similar offenses, stipulating that those with two previous convictions will face a life sentence in a state correctional facility. It clarifies that prior convictions from the same transaction will be treated as a single offense and excludes the most recent qualifying offense from consideration if more than 20 years have passed since the individual's release. The proposed changes include new legal language to emphasize sentencing criteria and the treatment of prior convictions while deleting certain existing language to streamline the statute. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding indecent exposure and enhance public safety by imposing stricter penalties for repeat offenders.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-12-2, 61-8-9, 61-11-18