What's happening
This bill creates penalties for displaying sexually explicit videos in vehicles visible to the public, including community service and a driving record point.
Why it matters
Targets public exposure. By penalizing the display of sexually explicit videos in vehicles visible from outside, the bill addresses concerns about unwanted exposure to explicit content for bystanders, including children and other vulnerable groups.
Non-criminal but significant penalties. Classifying the act as a "violation" (not a misdemeanor or felony) still imposes substantial consequences—up to 2,000 hours of community service and a point on the driver’s record—reflecting the seriousness with which lawmakers view public decency, while avoiding criminal records for offenders.
Impacts driving records. The addition of a point to the offender’s driving record could lead to higher insurance costs and, for repeat violations, potentially further penalties or license issues, making the law relevant for anyone who drives in New York.
Signals increased regulation of in-vehicle media. The bill may set a precedent for future legislation around what can be displayed on screens in vehicles, highlighting evolving concerns around technology, privacy, and public standards of conduct.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Public Sex Videos in Cars
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2708
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 25, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to the crime of display of sexual material in a vehicle
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 245.12 to read as follows: § 245.12 Display of sexual material in a vehicle.
1. A person is guilty of display of sexual material in a vehicle when he or she is in a vehicle that is located in a public place and a sexually explicit video is being displayed on a video or television screen located within that vehicle that is capable of being seen by a person who is not located within the vehicle.
2. The crime of display of sexual material in a vehicle shall be punishable by up to two thousand hours of community service.
3. Any person convicted of the crime of display of sexual material in a vehicle shall, in addition to any community service required to be performed, have one point added to his or her driving record.
Display of sexual material in a vehicle is a violation.
§ 2. The commissioner of motor vehicles is authorized and directed to implement and/or amend any rule or regulation necessary for the timely implementation of this act on its effective date.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07367-01-9
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.