What's happening
This bill prohibits street vendors in New York City from publicly displaying pornographic magazines or materials, with penalties for violations.
Why it matters
Directly targets public visibility. By banning street vendors from displaying explicit sexual content, the bill aims to reduce the likelihood that children, families, and passersby will be exposed to these materials in public spaces.
Defines what counts as “pornographic”. The legislation specifically limits its scope to materials showing acts of sexual intercourse or sexual perversion, but makes an exception for legitimate medical photographs or materials, clarifying what is and isn’t covered.
Escalating penalties for repeat offenses. The law introduces a tiered penalty system—starting with fines and escalating to license suspension after multiple violations—so it could strongly impact street vendors’ ability to continue operating if they repeatedly break the rule.
City-specific focus. The restrictions only apply in cities with populations over one million (such as New York City), meaning it’s tailored to densely populated urban environments where public exposure is most likely and where street vending is common.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Porn Displays by Vendors
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4071
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 1, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ, COLTON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to prohibiting the display of pornographic magazines or materials by street vendors in cities of one million or more
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 410.05 to read as follows: § 410.05 Public display of pornographic magazines or materials by street
vendors.
1. It shall be unlawful for street vendors in cities of one million or more to display pornographic magazines or materials.
2. For purposes of this section only, pornographic magazines or materials, are defined as magazines or materials showing acts of sexual intercourse or acts of sexual perversion. This section shall not be construed as applying to bona fide medical photographs or materials.
3. A violation of the provisions of subdivision one of this section shall be punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars, a second violation by a fine of two hundred fifty dollars, and for a third or subsequent violation by suspension of such vendor's license.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08982-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.