Swearing in public? No problem with bills’ final passage

Kathleen Gray | Detroit Free Press Lansing Bureau

LANSING – Have no fear: That jazzy rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the stream of expletives spewed at the supermarket will soon be allowed.

The Michigan Senate gave final passage Wednesday to a package of bills that repeals more than 80 antiquated laws, moving the issue to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature.

Among the laws repealed:

■Trespassing on a cranberry, huckleberry or blackberry marsh carries a sentence of 90 days in jail.

■Swearing in front of women and children, and making fun of someone who doesn’t accept a duel are misdemeanors carrying fines of $750.

■Singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in a nontraditional or disrespectful manner is a misdemeanor that carries a three-month jail sentence.

■Requiring any able-bodied man over the age of 18 to respond to the state Department of Natural Resources to help out in cases of emergency. Failure to do so is a misdemeanor.

■Prohibiting the use of certain words in print advertising relating to sexual diseases, including: “lost manhood” or “lost vitality or vigor.” Violating the act is a misdemeanor carrying a punishment of one year in jail.

■Prohibiting certain endurance contests, such as walk-a-thons, carries a jail sentence of 90 days or a $100 fine.

■Making it a crime for a doctor to keep or display the remains of a deformed human being or a “human monstrosity,” except for scientific purposes for medical classes.

There are more than 3,100 crimes on the books in Michigan and an average of 45 new ones have been passed every year from 2008-13, according to a House analysis of the bills.

State Rep. Chris Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids Township, led the effort to begin repealing antiquated laws and hopes to get his work group together to look at even more laws next year.

“This is a first step. Now we have to start looking at things that maybe aren’t so easy,” he said. “At least this gets us moving in the right direction.”

Gov. Rick Snyder supports the concept of getting rid of outdated and obsolete laws, said his spokesman Dave Murray, “but he will have to give this legislation a thorough review once it arrives on his desk before determining whether he should sign it into law.”

Contact Kathleen Gray: 517-372-8661, kgray99@freepress.com or on Twitter @michpoligal