Flasher law to go before committee

MONTGOMERY, Alabama (WALA) - A bill aimed at increasing the penalties for indecent exposure goes to the House Judiciary Committee, according to staffers of Republican Representative Jim Barton of Mobile.

House Bill 51 was pre-filed Thursday and was assigned a committee this week. If passed, the bill would make indecent exposure a felony for those convicted three times or more.

The bill was recently pre-filed at the State Capitol. It's now been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

"I'll have to go to the Committee and argue the benefit of the bill. Paul Demarco, who is the chairman of the Committee, will listen to my arguments. Members of the Committee will question my arguments on the substance of the bill. And I think we will be able to get a favorable report and get it turned out," said Barton.

The bill revolves around the multiple convictions of Dana Stegall. Court documents show he has been arrested more than two dozen times for indecent exposure. But because it is a misdemeanor, he can only serve one year in jail and does not have to register as a sex offender. The proposed bill would increase the penalties.

The bill was presented during 2010's session, but it died in the Committee phase.

Representative Barton is hoping this year will be a different story.

Opponents of the bill said the state should concentrate more on rehabilitating offenders, rather than incarcerating them. FOX10 News asked Barton how he plans to address that argument.

"We are $700 million short in general fund. We just don't have the funds to do it at this point," said Barton.

If the bill passes in Committee, it will then head to the full House for a vote.

Representative Barton said he hopes he can get the bill passed this year because the legislature is controlled by Republicans.