A new South Carolina bill, if passed, would make it illegal for anyone to wear “sagging pants” in public.
SC House Bill 4957 was introduced last week by 10 South Carolina representatives, who all co-sponsored the bill.
The bill reads;
“TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 16-17-780 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO WEAR PANTS SAGGING MORE THAN THREE INCHES BELOW HIS ILEUM, TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, TO PROVIDE THAT A VIOLATION IS NOT GROUNDS FOR DENYING, SUSPENDING, OR REVOKING THE VIOLATOR’S PARTICIPATION IN A STATE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, AND TO PROVIDE JURISDICTION OF A VIOLATION IS VESTED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT OR THE MAGISTRATES COURT.”
According to dictionary.com, the Ileum is “the third and lowest division of the small intestine, extending from the jejunum to the cecum.”
This would mean pants could sit no more than about 3 inches below the belly button;
Some have speculated that the lawmakers really meant to write “ilium” spelled with an “i”, instead of “ileum” spelled with an “e”. Ilium, with an “i” is the broad, upper portion of either hipbone. If they did actually mean “Ilium”, and they change the wording of the law to reflect that, then people would be allowed to wear jeans that slightly sagged 3 inches below the top of the hip bone;
If the bill is signed into law, it would outlaw pants worn below 3 inches under the top of the hip bone.
Meaning that this would become illegal;
Offenders of the new law would face a $25 fine for their 1st offense; a $50 fine or up to three hours of community service, or both, for their 2nd; and a $75 fine or up to six hours of community service, or both, for their 3rd.
The violations would never become criminal or delinquent offenses, according to the bill, and all offenses would be handled by municipal or magistrate court.
What do you think of the new bill?