Bill > A07396

This bill significantly increases legal protections for children by modifying New York's penal law regarding sexual performances involving minors. The legislation raises the age threshold from 16 to 18 years old for defining sexual performances involving children, and creates several new criminal offenses with varying degrees of severity. Specifically, the bill establishes new first-degree crimes for using a child in a sexual performance, promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child, and promoting a sexual performance by a child—all of which are particularly serious when the child is under 12 years old. These new offenses are classified as class B or C felonies, depending on the specific circumstances. The bill also mandates consecutive sentencing for individuals convicted of these child sexual performance crimes alongside other criminal offenses, ensuring that perpetrators face more substantial legal consequences. Additionally, the legislation updates language throughout the penal code to reflect the new age threshold and creates clearer legal definitions of sexual performances involving children, with the ultimate goal of providing stronger legal protections for minors against sexual exploitation.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7396