Bill > A04145

This bill amends the New York Penal Law to expand protections for children under the age of eighteen, specifically modifying language related to child endangerment. The key changes include replacing gender-specific language (such as "he or she") with more neutral terms like "such person" and updating the age threshold from seventeen to eighteen years old. The bill broadens the legal definition of child endangerment to include actions that could be likely to be injurious to a child's physical, mental, or moral welfare, and clarifies language around directing or authorizing a child to engage in activities with substantial risk to their life or health. The legislation aims to provide more comprehensive legal protection for minors by making the language more inclusive and extending the protective age range. The bill will take effect 180 days after becoming law, which allows time for legal systems and stakeholders to prepare for the updated regulations.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4145