Republican lawmaker proposes giving fines and counselling to people who wear saggy trousers

A Republican lawmaker has proposed a bill that could lead to people who wear their trousers too low being fined.

Thomas Weathersby, who serves in the US House of Representatives on behalf of Mississippi, believes wearing trousers that exposes underwear is “vulgar”, and said those who did so may even need counselling.

In a bill shown to representatives, Mr Weathersby said his aim was to “prohibit the wearing of pants, shorts or clothing bottoms that expose underwear or body parts in an indecent or vulgar manner”, and to “provide penalties for violations”.

The lawmaker suggested that a warning be given for a first offence, and fines of $20, $30 and $40 for third, fourth and five offences.

A fine of $100 (£80) should be imposed for a sixth offence, Mr Weathersby said, as well as “psychological and social counseling by the Department of Mental Health”.

“Personally, I like to see people dressed when they’re in public and I like to see people with their pants up,” Mr Weathersby told Mississippi Today. Various local governments around the US have recently suggested the implementation of a similar law.

Last summer a town in South Carolina passed a law which fined residents up to $600 (£480) for wearing low-hanging trousers that display their underwear.

The council of Timmonsville Town passed the second reading of the ordinance with council member William James, stating that it was about “integrity and respect”.

In September 2015, an Alabama council officer claimed God had told him to ban saggy trousers, in order to spare his town from indecency.