Bill > A01650

This bill amends the New York Penal Law to remove the requirement of physical injury in two specific sexual abuse offenses: aggravated sexual abuse in the third and fourth degrees. Currently, these crimes require that the perpetrator cause physical injury when inserting a finger or foreign object into another person's body (specifically the vagina, urethra, penis, rectum, or anus) when the victim is incapable of consenting due to mental disability, mental incapacitation, or other factors. The bill eliminates the "physical injury" condition, which means that the act itself would constitute the crime, regardless of whether physical harm is demonstrated. Additionally, the bill updates the language from "he or she" to the gender-neutral "such person" in these statutory provisions. The changes appear intended to broaden the legal definition of these sexual abuse offenses and potentially make prosecutions easier by removing the need to prove physical injury. The bill will take effect 90 days after becoming law.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1650