Bill > A02198

This bill establishes two new criminal offenses related to assaulting pregnant individuals: assault on a pregnant person in the second degree (a class D felony) and assault on a pregnant person in the first degree (a class C felony). The second-degree assault occurs when an individual intentionally causes injury to a person they know or have reason to know is pregnant, or causes injury to the person's unborn child. The first-degree assault involves intentionally causing serious injury to a pregnant person or causing the death of their unborn child. Both offenses include important exceptions to ensure that medical procedures, including abortions performed with consent, are not criminalized. The bill specifies that these new offenses must be interpreted consistently with existing public health laws and medical regulations. Additionally, the bill updates the penal law to categorize these new offenses within the state's existing felony classification system, which determines potential sentencing and legal consequences. The legislation, known as the "Liv Act," is designed to provide enhanced legal protection for pregnant individuals by creating specific criminal charges that recognize the unique vulnerabilities of pregnancy.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2198