SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION PROHIBITING THE VIEWING OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION PROHIBITING THE VIEWING OF
CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Bill Closes Loophole Created by Recent Court of Appeals Ruling

    The New York State Senate yesterday passed legislation (S7742) that would make the viewing of child pornography a felony crime. The bill is part of a three-way agreement with the Senate, Assembly and Governor Cuomo to amend current state law to make a person guilty of a crime when the person knowingly accesses child pornography with the intent to view.

    The legislation comes after a state Court of Appeals ruling in May 2012 that said viewing child pornography on the Internet is not a crime. This legislation closes that loophole.

    “Viewing child pornography only perpetuates a despicable crime,” Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said.  “This bill will impose tough penalties to deter anyone from accessing this material.  Senator Golden has provided strong leadership on this issue, which was a major criminal justice priority for the Senate Republicans.”

    The bill has been sent to the Assembly.