ATTN: VA Twinks
VA Bill Sets Fine for Low-Riding Pants
Virginia Lawmakers Pass Bill Authorizing $50 Fine for Anyone Wearing Low-Riding Pants
RICHMOND, Va. Feb 8, 2005 — Virginians who wear their pants so low their underwear shows may want to think about investing in a stronger belt.
The state's House of Delegates passed a bill Tuesday authorizing a $50 fine for anyone who displays his or her underpants in a "lewd or indecent manner."
Del. Lionell Spruill Sr., a Democrat who opposed the bill, had pleaded with his colleagues to remember their own youthful fashion follies.
During an extended monologue Monday, he talked about how they dressed or wore their hair in their teens. On Tuesday, he said the measure was an unconstitutional attack on young blacks that would force parents to take off work to accompany their children to court just for making a fashion statement.
"This is a foolish bill, Mr. Speaker, because it will hurt so many," Spruill said before the measure was approved 60-34. It now goes to the state Senate.
The bill's sponsor, Del. Algie T. Howell, has said constituents were offended by the exposed underwear. He did not speak on the floor Tuesday.
Spruill and Howell, also a Democrat, are both black.
Del. Lionell Spruill, D-Chesapeake, pleads with his colleagues to remember their own youthful fashion follies before cracking down on kids who wear low-riding pants, exposing their underwear, during debate in the House in Richmond, Va., Monday, Feb. 7, 2005. But in the end, Del. Algie Howell prevailed as the House tentatively approved his bill on a voice vote. The measure says anyone who exposes his or her underpants in ``a lewd or indecent manner'' can be fined $50. This is a foolish bill, Mr. Speaker, because it will hurt so many," Spruill said before the measure was approved 60-34. It now goes to the state Senate.