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Ocean City, Maryland Is Not Going Topless, Officials Say

OCEAN CITY, Md. (CBS) -- Beach weather is putting a controversial subject in the spotlight in Ocean City, Maryland.

That subject is topless sunbathing.

A woman's advocate asked the State Supreme Court to clarify Maryland's law on the matter -- but that has taken several months.

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Parents say topless bathing isn't family-friendly, but police are adopting a wait-and-see attitude.

"It's really based on the particular situation and how it's presented," say police.

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"The beach is something we are trying to incorporate as a family. It would turn us away and we would go elsewhere," said a father.

Ocean City officials say despite news circulating on social media, they will not be going topless.

"The Mayor and City Council are unanimously opposed to women being topless on our beach or in any public area in Ocean City," stated Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan.  "While we respect Ms. Covington's desire to express what rights she believes she may have, Ocean City is a family resort and we intend to do whatever is within our ability to also protect the rights of those families that visit us each year."

Maryland is one of several states with ambiguous laws on toplessness.

Several cities across the country have laws allowing a choice between tops or no tops.

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