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An Act To Amend the Laws Concerning Public Fighting
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §501, sub-§1,  as amended by PL 1989, c. 266, is further amended to read:
 
1.    In a public place, hethe person intentionally or recklessly causes annoyance to others by intentionally:
 
A.  Making loud and unreasonable noises; or
 
B.  Activating a device, or exposing a substance, whichthat releases noxious and offensive odors; or
 
C.   Engaging in fighting, without being licensed or privileged to do so;
Sec. 2. 17-A MRSA §501, sub-§1-A  is enacted to read:
 
1-A.    In a public place, the person intentionally or recklessly engages in fighting without being licensed or privileged to do so;
 
SUMMARY
Under current law, a person who engages in public fighting is guilty of disorderly conduct if such behavior causes annoyance to others. This bill removes the requirement that such behavior must cause annoyance to others and provides instead that a person is guilty of disorderly conduct if, in a public place, that person engages in fighting without being licensed or privileged to do so.