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Adultery is no longer illegal in New York

New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during a press conference regarding congestion pricing in New York City on November 14, 2024.
Angela Weiss
/
AFP via Getty Images
New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during a press conference regarding congestion pricing in New York City on November 14, 2024.

Adultery is no longer a crime in New York.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday signed off on repealing a 1907 law prohibiting the act.

New York's penal law previously said that "a person is guilty of adultery when he engages in sexual intercourse with another person at a time when he has a living spouse, or the other person has a living spouse."

It was considered a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a jail sentence of up to three months.

The New York State Senate called the law "outdated."

Assemblyman Charles Lavine wrote the bill overturning the law. He said 13 people were arrested and charged under the law, while five people were convicted. Though, the numbers may not be completely accurate due to some court records not being easily accessible. The most recent case was in 2010, but it was thrown out.

Copyright 2024 NPR

Ayana Archie
[Copyright 2024 NPR]

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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