Topeka will try a third time to ban public nudity

TOPEKA – 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.

This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 11:47 AM with the headline "Topeka will try a third time to ban public nudity."