LANSING -- Cursing in front of women and children. Dyeing chicks, bunnies and ducklings. Participating in a walkathon. Chastising someone in print for not accepting the offer to duel.

Little did these children know they were breaking Michigan law when they participated in a walkathon. Michigan lawmakers want to repeal the law that made these children outlaws.

These things seem to have no correlation whatsoever. But, they're connected in two ways: All of them are currently illegal in the state of Michigan and legislators are looking to repeal those laws.

The House Criminal Justice Committee held a testimony-only hearing Tuesday on five bills aimed at repealing outdated and rarely-enforced criminal laws still on the books in Michigan. The above listed offenses are all misdemeanors in the state that are currently on the books.

Rep. Chris Afendoulis, R-Grand Rapids, is a part of a work group of lawmakers and interest groups working to identify outdated laws that could be repealed. While all of these laws may have, at one time, had a purpose, many of them are now covered by other statutes or are unconstitutional.

"Some of these laws may seem outdated at the (current) time, but the Legislature did pass these laws and the governor did sign them, and some of these issues go back 150 years," he said. "... The fact that those things did occur tell you at one time these were serious matters."

House Bill 4247 would repeal the law that makes it illegal for anyone but a deaf or hearing impaired person to have a dog on an orange leash in a public place.

House Bill 4248 would repeal portions of the penal code that prohibit: reproaching someone in print for not accepting a fight or duel, using obscene language in the presence of a woman or child setting out extremely specific guidelines on how the Star Spangled Banner should be played or respected in a public place.

The bill would also repeal parts of the penal code that set out specifications on how to dispose of a refrigerator, though Afendoulis said lawmakers plan to amend that section in order to set new guidelines.

House Bill 4249 would repeal older laws regarding trespass, which are now covered by the state's general trespass law and the state's laws against larceny.

House Bill 4250 would repeal the ban on participating in a walkathon or other endurance contest.

House Bill 4251 would repeal the ban on selling baby chicks, ducklings or rabbits that have been dyed.

"If (dyeing animals) were indeed considered abandonment or animal cruelty, we have other statutes that would cover that activity," Afendoulis said.

Matt Blakely, legislative liaison for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said he was against repealing the law against dyeing baby animals.

Blakely said sales of these kinds of animals increase at fairs and around Easter and are not only cruel to the animals, but can sicken children. He said chicks and ducklings carry salmonella and may transport that bacteria to children, who have weaker immune systems.

"This promotes impulse buying of chicks and ducklings for children," Blakely said. "The animal becomes a pet for a while and then is a care burden."

Blakely also spoke against the bill proposed by Rep. Martin Howrylak, R-Troy, that would decriminalize having a dog on an orange leash in public.

Howrylak's rationale for the bill is that hunters often keep dogs on orange leashes and called the law "unenforceable." Blakely agreed with that assessment, but said it would make sure the only people bringing dogs into public places are ones who are federally allowed to do so.

"It's often overlooked and not enforced, however it's important to maintain recognition of these services dogs under the American Disability Act," he said.

Kyle Feldscher is the Capitol education and MSU reporter for MLive Media Group. Reach him via email at kylefeldscher@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter at @Kyle_Feldscher. Read more stories here.