Perryville updates indecency ordinance to shield breastfeeding moms

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Perryville board of aldermen on Tuesday updated its public indecency laws to ensure nursing mothers can feed their infants without fear of prosecution.

The new ordinance, which passed unanimously, prohibits public exposure of any "private area," apparent sexual conduct, urination or defecation but includes a clause specifically permitting breast-feeding.

"A mother may, with discretion, breast-feed her child or express breast milk in any public or private location where the mother is otherwise authorized to be," the ordinance states. "Such actions shall not be a violation of this section."

The board also heard the first reading of a pair of ordinances that affect police department employees.

One proposed ordinance specifies the circumstances under which employees are allowed to hold outside jobs.

The second would modify the way the Perryville Police Department fills vacancies and promotes personnel.

Under the proposed ordinance, the city's personnel clerk would solicit applications and help screen and interview job candidates.

If passed, the ordinance also will establish a formal process for promoting employees within the department.

The process would require employees seeking a promotion to go before a three-person interview board made up of the chief, the city's personnel clerk and the supervisor for the position being sought.

Questions arose last year concerning the department's hiring and promotion practices after an employee accused former Perryville police chief Keith Tarrillion of professional misconduct including harassment, discrimination and favoritism.

Tarrillion resigned in March 2013.

In other business, the board:

* Approved the appointment of Jeremy Triller as fire chief.

* Approved a special-use permit allowing a new day care center to open at 1422 N. Kingshighway. Several parents attending the meeting said the new center will help alleviate a child-care shortage created by the impending closure of Shining Stars Preschool, which is slated to close May 16.

* Approved a contract with Parrot Film Co. to show pre-movie advertisements at the Perry Park Center Theater.

epriddy@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

Perryville, MO