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- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
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Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S1545
Title of bill
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to crimes against persons under sixteen years of age
Purpose
Provides enhanced penalties for persons who commit acts of violence against children.
Summary of provisions
Amends Articles 120, 125 and 260 of the Penal Law by increasing penalties for violent acts when the victim is under age 16 and the perpetrator is 18 years of age or older.
Justification
Although violence against children has existed for centuries, today we recognize the serious long-term consequences of such abuse. Violence, including physical and emotional abuse, and neglect is unfortunately a reality for many children. Each year more than 900,000 children and adolescents are added to the abuse rolls of various social agencies in the United States.
Child abuse and neglect reports have increased in recent years. Many studies have linked child abuse and neglect with later behavioral problems, including juvenile delinquency and adult criminal behavior. Abused and neglected children present a range of behavioral disturbances that impair their educational and social advancement, including aggressive and violent behaviors.
Perpetrators of physical violence against children are treated in the same manner as those who commit violence against adults. But children are a vulnerable population, and dependent upon adults. Child abuse and neglect tear at the fabric of our society and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
New York State recently increased penalties for "hate crimes," which are crimes motivated by biases against a person's actual or perceived ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, etc. Increasing penalties for persons who would harm a particularly vulnerable population is intended to send a similar message -- children are our future, and it is society's responsibility to protect them from harm.
Fiscal implications
None.
Legislative history
2011-12: S.2417 -- Referred to Codes 2009-10: S.1178 -- Referred to Codes 2007-08: S.2910 -- Referred to Codes 2005-06: S.2615 -- Referred to Codes 2003-04: S.2246 -- Referred to Codes 2001-02: S.1641/A.2628 -- Referred to Codes
Effective date
The first of November after which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.