NY State Senate Bill S5949A

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Rules Committee

Introduced
In Committee
On Floor Calendar
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
Delivered to Governor
Signed/Vetoed by Governor

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Actions

view actions (8)

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Jun 20, 2014	committed to rules
May 12, 2014	advanced to third reading
May 07, 2014	2nd report cal.
May 06, 2014	1st report cal.585
Apr 07, 2014	print number 5949a
Apr 07, 2014	amend and recommit to codes
Jan 08, 2014	referred to codes
Oct 09, 2013	referred to rules

Votes

view votes

May 6, 2014 - Codes committee Vote

S5949A

committee

Aye

Nay

Aye with Reservations

Absent

Excused

Abstained

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

Original

A (Active)

Co-Sponsors

S5949 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8214
Current Committee:: Senate Rules
Law Section:: Penal Law
Laws Affected:: Add §250.70, Pen L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2015-2016: S4450, A571
2017-2018: S2725, A1641
2019-2020: A326

S5949 - Summary

Establishes the crime of non-consensual disclosure of sexually explicit images as a class A misdemeanor.

S5949 - Sponsor Memo

BILL NUMBER:S5949

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the penal law, in relation to
establishing the crime of non-consensual disclosure of sexually
explicit images

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

Relates to establishing the crime of non-consensual disclosure of
sexually explicit images.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 adds a new section, 250.70 to the New York Penal Law, which
provides that a person is guilty of non-consensual disclosure of
sexually explicit images when he or she intentionally or knowingly
discloses a photo, film, or videotape of another person whose intimate
parts are exposed or who is engaged in an act of sexual contact
without such person's consent.

Additionally, the disclosure must be without such person's consent and
under circumstances in which the person has a reasonable expectation
of privacy, meaning that the person has consented to the capture or
possession of an image within the context of a private or confidential
relationship.

250.70.1 provides definitions of "disclose", "intimate parts" and
"sexual contact."

250.70.2 provides exceptions for lawful and common practices of law
enforcement, and situations involving voluntary exposure in public or
commercial settings.

250.70.3 Non-consensual disclosure of sexually explicit images is a
class A misdemeanor and the person who discloses the photograph is
also subject to a fine not to exceed $30,000 notwithstanding the
provisions of subdivision one of section 80.05 of this chapter.

JUSTIFICATION:

In an era of increased text messaging, social networking, and
emailing, people in intimate relationships sometimes share pictures
with each other, some of which may be sexually explicit in nature.
However, recipients of these images do not always keep the images
within the confines of an intimate relationship, and have the ability
to widely disseminate the photos on the Internet.

The non-consensual disclosure of such sexually explicit images, also
known as "revenge porn" is often provided to Internet websites, and
features photos sometimes accompanied by disparaging descriptions and
identifying details, such as where the victims live and work, as well
as links to their social network pages.

Posting these photographs online is damaging to the reputations of the
victims. These photographs have extensive negative effects, including
destroying future intimate relationships and educational and


employment opportunities. Victims are routinely threatened with sexual
assault, stalked, harassed, or fired from jobs.

New York's current distribution of unlawful surveillance law only
governs photographs taken without the subject's consent. This bill
would govern photographs that are captured consensually, as part of an
intimate, private relationship, which are later disclosed by an
individual to the public without the consent of the individual
photographed.

Criminalization is preferable to civil suits by victims because civil
suits do not deter those who upload or disclose new images after a
civil suit has ended. Furthermore, a lengthy trial is emotionally
exhausting and prohibitively expensive. Moreover, the websites that
distribute non-consensual pornography are given broad immunity for
civil liability under federal law through the Communications Decency
Act. Therefore, criminalizing disclosure of these photos may prevent
websites from benefiting from the harmful images.

This bill is also narrowly drawn so as not to infringe on First
Amendment rights, as there is no constitutional protection afforded to
individuals who consume or distribute sexually explicit images of
individuals without their consent. The bill also creates exceptions
for lawful activity.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding
the date on which it shall have become a law.

S5949 - Bill Text download pdf

                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  5949

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                             October 9, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens. GRIFFO, LAVALLE, MAZIARZ -- read twice and ordered
  printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules

AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to establishing the crime  of
  non-consensual disclosure of sexually explicit images

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 250.70  to
read as follows:
S 250.70 NON-CONSENSUAL DISCLOSURE OF SEXUALLY EXPLICIT IMAGES.
  A  PERSON  IS GUILTY OF NON-CONSENSUAL DISCLOSURE OF SEXUALLY EXPLICIT
IMAGES WHEN HE OR SHE  INTENTIONALLY  AND KNOWINGLY DISCLOSES  A  PHOTO-
GRAPH,  FILM,  VIDEOTAPE,  RECORDING,  OR  ANY OTHER REPRODUCTION OF THE
IMAGE OF ANOTHER PERSON WHOSE INTIMATE  PARTS  ARE  EXPOSED  OR  WHO  IS
ENGAGED  IN  AN ACT OF SEXUAL CONTACT WITHOUT SUCH PERSON'S CONSENT, AND
UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THE PERSON HAS A REASONABLE EXPECTATION  OF
PRIVACY.  A  PERSON WHO HAS CONSENTED TO THE CAPTURE OR POSSESSION OF AN
IMAGE WITHIN THE CONTEXT  OF  A  PRIVATE  OR  CONFIDENTIAL  RELATIONSHIP
RETAINS  A  REASONABLE  EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY WITH REGARD TO DISCLOSURE
BEYOND THAT RELATIONSHIP.
  1. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
  (A) "DISCLOSE" MEANS TO SELL, MANUFACTURE, GIVE, PROVIDE, LEND, TRADE,
MAIL, DELIVER, TRANSFER, PUBLISH, DISTRIBUTE, CIRCULATE, DISCLOSE, PRES-
ENT, EXHIBIT, ADVERTISE OR OFFER.
  (B) "INTIMATE PARTS" MEANS THE NAKED GENITALS, PUBIC  AREA,  BUTTOCKS,
OR FEMALE ADULT NIPPLE OF THE PERSON.
  (C) "SEXUAL CONTACT" MEANS SEXUAL INTERCOURSE, INCLUDING GENITAL-GENI-
TAL,  ORAL-GENITAL,  ANAL-GENITAL, OR ORAL-ANAL, WHETHER BETWEEN PERSONS
OF THE SAME OR OPPOSITE SEX.
  2. THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO:
  (A) LAWFUL AND COMMON PRACTICES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT,  CRIMINAL  REPORT-
ING, OR LEGAL PROCEEDINGS; OR

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD11834-06-3

S. 5949                             2

  (B)  SITUATIONS  INVOLVING  VOLUNTARY EXPOSURE IN PUBLIC OR COMMERCIAL
SETTINGS.
  3.  NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION 80.05
OF THIS CHAPTER, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A FINE NOT TO EXCEED THIRTY  THOU-
SAND DOLLARS.
  NON-CONSENSUAL  DISCLOSURE  OF  SEXUALLY  EXPLICIT IMAGES IS A CLASS A
MISDEMEANOR.
  S 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become a law.

Co-Sponsors

S5949A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A8214
Current Committee:: Senate Rules
Law Section:: Penal Law
Laws Affected:: Add §250.70, Pen L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2015-2016: S4450, A571
2017-2018: S2725, A1641
2019-2020: A326

S5949A (ACTIVE) - Summary

Establishes the crime of non-consensual disclosure of sexually explicit images as a class A misdemeanor.

S5949A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

BILL NUMBER:S5949A

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the penal law, in relation to
establishing the crime of non-consensual disclosure of sexually
explicit images

PURPOSE:

Relates to establishing the crime of non-consensual disclosure of
sexually explicit images.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 adds a new section, 250.70 to the New York Penal Law, which
provides that a person is guilty of non-consensual disclosure of
sexually explicit images when he or she intentionally or knowingly
discloses a photo, film, or videotape of another person whose intimate
parts are exposed or who is engaged in an act of sexual contact
without such person's consent, when a reasonable person would have
known that the person depicted would not have consented to such
disclosure.

Additionally, the disclosure must be without such person's consent and
under circumstances in which the person has a reasonable expectation
of privacy, meaning that the person has consented to the capture or
possession of an image within the context of a private or confidential

relationship.

250.70.1 provides definitions of "disclose", "intimate parts" and
"sexual contact."

250.70.2 provides exceptions for lawful and common practices of law
enforcement, disclosures made for a legitimate public purpose, and
situations involving voluntary exposure in public or commercial
settings, and disclosures made in the reporting of unlawful activity.

250.70.3 Non-consensual disclosure of sexually explicit images is a
class A misdemeanor.

JUSTIFICATION:

In an era of increased text messaging, social networking, and
emailing, people in intimate relationships sometimes share pictures
with each other, some of which may be sexually explicit in nature.
However, recipients of these images do not always keep the images
within the confines of an intimate relationship, and have the ability
to widely disseminate the photos on the Internet.

The non-consensual disclosure of such sexually explicit images, also
known as "revenge porn" is often provided to Internet websites, and
features photos sometimes accompanied by disparaging descriptions and
identifying details, such as where the victims live and work, as well
as links to their social network pages.

Posting these photographs online is damaging to the reputations of the
victims. These photographs have extensive negative effects, including
destroying future intimate relationships and educational and


employment opportunities. Victims are routinely threatened with sexual
assault, stalked, harassed, or fired from jobs.

New York's current distribution of unlawful surveillance law only
governs photographs taken without the subject's consent. This bill
would govern photographs that are captured consensually, as part of an
intimate, private relationship, which are later disclosed by an
individual to the public without the consent of the individual
photographed.

Criminalization is preferable to civil suits by victims because civil
suits do not deter those who upload or disclose new images after a
civil suit has ended. Furthermore, a lengthy trial is emotionally
exhausting and prohibitively expensive. Moreover, the websites that
distribute non-consensual pornography are given broad immunity for
civil liability under federal law through the Communications Decency
Act. Therefore, criminalizing disclosure of these photos may prevent
websites from benefiting from the harmful images.

This bill is also narrowly drawn so as not to infringe on First
Amendment rights, as there is no constitutional protection afforded to
individuals who consume or distribute sexually explicit images of
individuals without their consent. The bill also creates exceptions
for lawful activity.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding
the date on which it shall have become a law.

S5949A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 5949--A

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                             October 9, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens.  GRIFFO,  LAVALLE, GOLDEN, MAZIARZ, RANZENHOFER --
  read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to  be  committed  to
  the  Committee  on  Rules  -- recommitted to the Committee on Codes in
  accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 --  committee  discharged,  bill
  amended,  ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said commit-
  tee

AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to establishing the crime  of
  non-consensual disclosure of sexually explicit images

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 250.70  to
read as follows:
S 250.70 NON-CONSENSUAL DISCLOSURE OF SEXUALLY EXPLICIT IMAGES.
  A  PERSON  IS GUILTY OF NON-CONSENSUAL DISCLOSURE OF SEXUALLY EXPLICIT
IMAGES WHEN HE OR SHE  INTENTIONALLY  AND KNOWINGLY DISCLOSES  A  PHOTO-
GRAPH,  FILM,  VIDEOTAPE,  RECORDING,  OR  ANY OTHER REPRODUCTION OF THE
IMAGE OF ANOTHER PERSON WHOSE INTIMATE  PARTS  ARE  EXPOSED  OR  WHO  IS
ENGAGED  IN AN ACT OF SEXUAL CONTACT WITHOUT SUCH PERSON'S CONSENT, WHEN
A REASONABLE PERSON WOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THE PERSON DEPICTED WOULD  NOT
HAVE  CONSENTED TO SUCH DISCLOSURE, AND UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THE
PERSON HAS A REASONABLE EXPECTATION  OF  PRIVACY.    A  PERSON  WHO  HAS
CONSENTED TO THE CAPTURE OR POSSESSION OF AN IMAGE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF
A  PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP RETAINS A REASONABLE EXPECTATION
OF PRIVACY WITH REGARD TO DISCLOSURE BEYOND THAT RELATIONSHIP.
  1. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
  (A) "DISCLOSE" MEANS TO SELL, MANUFACTURE, GIVE, PROVIDE, LEND, TRADE,
MAIL, DELIVER, TRANSFER, PUBLISH, DISTRIBUTE, CIRCULATE, DISCLOSE, PRES-
ENT, EXHIBIT, ADVERTISE OR OFFER.
  (B) "INTIMATE PARTS" MEANS THE NAKED GENITALS, PUBIC  AREA,  BUTTOCKS,
OR FEMALE ADULT NIPPLE OF THE PERSON.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD11834-10-4

S. 5949--A                          2

  (C) "SEXUAL CONTACT" MEANS SEXUAL INTERCOURSE, INCLUDING GENITAL-GENI-
TAL,  ORAL-GENITAL,  ANAL-GENITAL, OR ORAL-ANAL, WHETHER BETWEEN PERSONS
OF THE SAME OR OPPOSITE SEX.
  2. THIS SECTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO:
  (A)  LAWFUL  AND COMMON PRACTICES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, CRIMINAL REPORT-
ING, OR LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, OR  DISCLOSURES  MADE  IN  THE  REPORTING  OF
UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY; OR
  (B)  SITUATIONS  INVOLVING  VOLUNTARY EXPOSURE IN PUBLIC OR COMMERCIAL
SETTINGS, OR DISCLOSURES MADE FOR A LEGITIMATE PUBLIC PURPOSE.
  NON-CONSENSUAL DISCLOSURE OF SEXUALLY EXPLICIT IMAGES  IS  A  CLASS  A
MISDEMEANOR.
  S 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become a law.

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The New York State Senate

senate Bill S5949A

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Rules Committee

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Votes

May 6, 2014 - Codes committee Vote

Codes Committee Vote: May 6, 2014

Bill Amendments

Co-Sponsors

S5949 - Details

S5949 - Summary

S5949 - Sponsor Memo

S5949 - Bill Text download pdf

Co-Sponsors

S5949A (ACTIVE) - Details

S5949A (ACTIVE) - Summary

S5949A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

S5949A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

senate Bill S5949A

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Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Rules Committee

Your Voice

Actions

Votes

May 6, 2014 - Codes committee Vote

Codes Committee Vote: May 6, 2014

Bill Amendments

Co-Sponsors

S5949 - Details

S5949 - Summary

S5949 - Sponsor Memo

S5949 - Bill Text download pdf

Co-Sponsors

S5949A (ACTIVE) - Details

S5949A (ACTIVE) - Summary

S5949A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

S5949A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments