A Montana lawmaker has unleashed a crusade on yoga pants by introducing a bill to have them banned in public, the Associated Press has learned.
House Representative David Moore, of Missoula, introduced a bill on Tuesday calling for yoga pants, along with speedos as well as any clothing that shows nipples, to be classified under the state's existing indecent exposure law. In other words, yoga pants would be considered clothing that "gives the appearance or simulates" someone's buttocks, genitals or pelvic area, the AP reported.
"Yoga pants should be illegal in public anyway," Moore, a Republican, said at a Tuesday hearing.
Moore's House Bill 365 comes after a naked bike riding event called Bare as you Dare sparked local outrage when it passed through Missoula last August.
"I want Montana to be known as a decent state where people can live within the security laws and protect their children and associates from degrading and indecent practices," Moore said according to the AP.
"I believe this bill is written preserving that reputation."
The lawmaker said he would leave it up to local police to determine what qualifies as indecent. Violators who offend three times could be thrown in the slammer for up to five years and subject to a $5,000 fine.
Under Montana's current indecent exposure law, triple offenders could receive life in jail and pay $10,000. Moore said he proposed a lesser fine and five-year sentence in order to increase enforcement of the law, the AP reported.
It's not yet clear how much support Moore's bill has but according to Rep. Virginia Court, of Billings, Moore is taking things a bit too far.
"I think you are kind of being a little prejudiced against women," said Court, a Democrat.
