Senate Passes Senator Gianaris’ Bill Getting Tough on Sexual Abusers

(Albany, NY) Senator Mike Gianaris’ bill to strengthen laws regarding persistent sexual abuse passed the New York State Senate by a vote of 59-0 this week. Senate Bill S.612 will amend existing law to exclude any spent in prison from the 10-year period during which penalties are increased for multiple crimes. Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, author of the legislation, has championed the legislation in the New York State Assembly.

“There should be no place in our society for criminals who repeatedly sexually abuse others in our community,” said Senator Gianaris. “This bill would crack down harder on these miscreants who commit multiple sex crimes in a 10-year period.”

Anyone convicted of forcible touching or sexual abuse in the third degree that has already been convicted of one of those crimes two or more times in the previous ten years is guilty of “persistent sexual abuse”. Persistent sexual abuse is an enhanced crime and a Class E felony.

Senator Gianaris’ bill would ensure that time spent incarcerated is excluded from the relevant ten-year period, since during incarceration an individual is removed from general society and unable to commit the sex crimes in question against innocent civilians.

"I applaud Senator Gianaris for being such an effective advocate for this legislation. Since we first discussed this issue, Senator Gianaris and I have been committed to preventing sex offenders who repeatedly target women and children from finding leniency in legal loopholes,” Assemblymember Aravella Simotas said. “The law must provide protection for the most vulnerable among us, not a shield for predators. The legislation's passage in the Senate is an important step towards ensuring that individuals who commit persistent sexual abuse face the full consequences of their crimes."

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