Bill > S04853

This bill amends the New York penal law to expand the definition of public lewdness by adding a new provision that makes it a criminal offense to electronically transmit images of exposed private or intimate body parts without the consent of the recipient in or around a public place. Currently, public lewdness is defined as intentionally exposing one's private or intimate body parts in a lewd manner in a public place or where one can be readily observed, and this bill adds the electronic transmission of such images without consent as another form of the offense. The bill maintains public lewdness as a class B misdemeanor, which means it is a criminal offense that can result in potential jail time and/or fines. The new law would take effect 90 days after it is signed, providing a transition period for implementation. This amendment appears designed to address modern forms of sexual harassment and invasion of privacy that were not explicitly covered in the original statute, particularly those involving digital media and electronic communication.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4853