Ohio Lawmakers Seek to Criminalize Women's Clothing, Drag Shows

Proposed 'Indecent Exposure Modernization Act' could lead to arrests for wearing bikinis, halter tops, and sports bras in public.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:03am

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A vibrant, abstract painting depicting a person wearing athletic clothing, with the figure repeated in overlapping, fractured geometric shapes in a variety of bright, bold colors, conceptually representing the controversy over the Ohio legislation targeting women's attire.The proposed 'Indecent Exposure Modernization Act' in Ohio seeks to criminalize common women's clothing, raising concerns about government overreach and the erosion of personal freedoms.Columbus Today

A new bill in the Ohio General Assembly, the 'Indecent Exposure Modernization Act,' aims to ban drag performances and criminalize a wide range of women's clothing, including bikinis, halter tops, and sports bras, when worn in 'physical proximity' to those outside a woman's household. The proposal has drawn criticism from legal experts who argue it violates constitutional protections for free expression and personal freedom.

Why it matters

This legislation represents an unprecedented attempt by lawmakers to police women's bodies and artistic expression, raising concerns about the erosion of civil liberties. If enacted, the law could empower police to make subjective judgments about what constitutes 'indecent' attire or 'harmful' drag performances, effectively turning officers into arbiters of art and fashion.

The details

The proposed bill defines a new type of 'indecent exposure' that would be confined to 'adult cabarets,' or performances featuring individuals 'who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer's ... biological sex' using clothing, makeup, or other markers. It includes a vague exception for 'bona fide' artistic endeavors, but legal experts argue this exception is too ambiguous to provide meaningful protection. The legislation also radically expands the definition of 'public indecency' to include women's breasts covered only by 'an undergarment,' potentially criminalizing the wearing of bikinis, halter tops, and sports bras in public.

  • The Ohio House recently passed the 'Indecent Exposure Modernization Act', and it is currently pending in the state Senate.

The players

Ohio General Assembly

The state legislature of Ohio, which is currently considering the 'Indecent Exposure Modernization Act'.

Dan Kobil

A professor of constitutional law at Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio, who has criticized the proposed legislation as unconstitutional.

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What they’re saying

“Drag performances, like other types of entertainment such as dance, theater and film, are forms of artistic expression that is squarely protected by the U.S. Constitution.”

— Dan Kobil, Professor of Constitutional Law

“The First Amendment stands as a shield against any effort to enforce orthodoxy in thought or speech in this country.”

— Dan Kobil, Professor of Constitutional Law

What’s next

The Ohio Senate will vote on the 'Indecent Exposure Modernization Act' in the coming weeks, and if passed, the bill will head to the governor's desk for signature or veto.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation represents a concerning attempt by Ohio lawmakers to restrict personal freedoms and artistic expression, raising serious constitutional concerns. If enacted, the law could empower police to make subjective judgments about acceptable attire and entertainment, undermining core American values of free speech and individual liberty.