Topeka to consider banning public nudity

? Topeka will make a third attempt at banning public nudity when city officials consider a proposed ordinance next week.

The Topeka City Council’s draft of a new ordinance banning public nudity was made available Thursday. It lists two exceptions to the ban: mothers breastfeeding their children, and children under the age of 10, The Topeka Capital Journal reported.

Topeka’s proposal was prompted recently by concerns about a local man who walks nude on the area’s Shunga Trail and in other public areas.

Topeka previously attempted in 2005 and 2014 to enact a ban on public nudity.

Under the draft ordinance that will be considered at the council meeting on Tuesday, public nudity would be a misdemeanor. The ordinance would establish public nudity as a Class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the Shawnee County Jail up to 30 days and a fine of between $1 and $499.

That punishment is less severe than those listed for violations of the public nudity bans in Wichita and Derby, where city code lists a fine up to $2,500, and a potential six months in jail in Derby or one year in Wichita.

Ordinances in Manhattan and Hutchinson don’t specify potential sentences for violators of those cities’ bans.