The New York State Assembly recently approved a bill aiming to decriminalize adultery, a move initiated by Assemblyman Charles D. Lavine (D-North Shore). Lavine criticized the existing statute as an archaic measure penalizing consensual adult sexual conduct and argued for its removal from the penal code, citing its obsolescence and lack of enforcement.
Highlighting the infrequent use of this law, Lavine’s office reported that since 1972, there have been merely 13 charges of adultery, resulting in five convictions, often where adultery was an additional charge to other crimes. The specifics of these cases, including their occurrence on Long Island, were not disclosed.
The legislation received overwhelming support in the Assembly codes committee, proceeding to pass the full Assembly with a significant majority vote of 137-10. The next step for this bill is to navigate through the State Senate, where its fate will be decided. This legislative effort reflects a broader movement towards modernizing laws to reflect current societal values and norms, particularly regarding personal freedoms and privacy.