What's happening
This bill creates new aggravated sexual offenses, increases penalties for certain sex crimes, and changes the eligibility for youthful offender status.
Why it matters
Creates new, higher-level aggravated sexual offenses. The bill introduces new crimes—Aggravated Rape, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Act, and Aggravated Sexual Abuse in the First Degree—each defined as a class A-II felony, representing some of the most serious charges in New York law. These offenses add harsher penalties for sex crimes involving weapons, threats, or physical injury, signaling a legislative intent to severely punish the most violent sexual assaults.
Reclassifies and escalates existing sexual abuse offenses. By shifting current degrees of aggravated sexual abuse up one level (e.g., what was previously "first degree" becomes "second degree," and so on), the bill essentially makes room for even more severe charges at the top tier. This rearrangement could result in longer sentences for conduct that now falls under a higher degree.
Restricts youthful offender protections for serious sex crimes. The bill changes eligibility for youthful offender status, explicitly excluding those convicted of the new, most serious aggravated sexual abuse offenses (now the "second degree") from this rehabilitative status—except in rare, court-determined cases. This means more young offenders convicted of these crimes will face adult felony consequences.
Signals a tougher stance on violent sexual crimes. By increasing penalties and narrowing avenues for leniency (such as youthful offender status), the legislation reflects a policy decision to prioritize public safety and victim protection over rehabilitative or second-chance approaches for the most violent sexual offenses. This could deter future crimes but also raises questions about proportionality and the treatment of juvenile offenders in the justice system.
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Create Aggravated Rape Offenses
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Recommit, enacting clause stricken
- Referred to codes
Full text
5 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1045
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2019
Introduced by Sens. YOUNG, FUNKE, O'MARA, ORTT, RANZENHOFER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to aggravated sexual offenses; and to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to youthful offender status
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of subdivision 1 of section 70.02 of the penal law, paragraph (a) as amended by chapter 189 of the laws of 2018, paragraph (b) as amended by chapter 476 of the laws of 2018 and paragraph (c) as amended by chapter 368 of the laws of 2015, are amended to read as follows:
(a) Class B violent felony offenses: an attempt to commit the class A-I felonies of murder in the second degree as defined in section 125.25, kidnapping in the first degree as defined in section 135.25, and arson in the first degree as defined in section 150.20; manslaughter in the first degree as defined in section 125.20, aggravated manslaughter in the first degree as defined in section 125.22, rape in the first degree as defined in section 130.35, criminal sexual act in the first degree as defined in section 130.50, aggravated sexual abuse in the [first] second degree as defined in section 130.70, course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree as defined in section 130.75; assault in the first degree as defined in section 120.10, kidnapping in the second degree as defined in section 135.20, burglary in the first degree as defined in section 140.30, arson in the second degree as defined in section 150.15, robbery in the first degree as defined in section 160.15, sex trafficking as defined in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision five of section 230.34, sex trafficking of a child as defined in section 230.34-a, incest in the first degree as defined in section 255.27, criminal possession of a weapon in the first
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03937-02-9
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degree as defined in section 265.04, criminal use of a firearm in the first degree as defined in section 265.09, criminal sale of a firearm in the first degree as defined in section 265.13, aggravated assault upon a police officer or a peace officer as defined in section 120.11, gang assault in the first degree as defined in section 120.07, intimidating a victim or witness in the first degree as defined in section 215.17, hindering prosecution of terrorism in the first degree as defined in section 490.35, criminal possession of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the second degree as defined in section 490.40, and criminal use of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the third degree as defined in section 490.47.
(b) Class C violent felony offenses: an attempt to commit any of the class B felonies set forth in paragraph (a) of this subdivision; aggravated criminally negligent homicide as defined in section 125.11, aggravated manslaughter in the second degree as defined in section 125.21, aggravated sexual abuse in the [second] third degree as defined in section 130.67, assault on a peace officer, police officer, firefighter or emergency medical services professional as defined in section 120.08, assault on a judge as defined in section 120.09, gang assault in the second degree as defined in section 120.06, strangulation in the first degree as defined in section 121.13, burglary in the second degree as defined in section 140.25, robbery in the second degree as defined in section 160.10, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree as defined in section 265.03, criminal use of a firearm in the second degree as defined in section 265.08, criminal sale of a firearm in the second degree as defined in section 265.12, criminal sale of a firearm with the aid of a minor as defined in section 265.14, aggravated criminal possession of a weapon as defined in section 265.19, soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism in the first degree as defined in section 490.15, hindering prosecution of terrorism in the second degree as defined in section 490.30, and criminal possession of a chemical weapon or biological weapon in the third degree as defined in section 490.37.
(c) Class D violent felony offenses: an attempt to commit any of the class C felonies set forth in paragraph (b); reckless assault of a child as defined in section 120.02, assault in the second degree as defined in section 120.05, menacing a police officer or peace officer as defined in section 120.18, stalking in the first degree, as defined in subdivision one of section 120.60, strangulation in the second degree as defined in section 121.12, rape in the second degree as defined in section 130.30, criminal sexual act in the second degree as defined in section 130.45, sexual abuse in the first degree as defined in section 130.65, course of sexual conduct against a child in the second degree as defined in section 130.80, aggravated sexual abuse in the [third] fourth degree as defined in section 130.66, facilitating a sex offense with a controlled substance as defined in section 130.90, labor trafficking as defined in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision three of section 135.35, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree as defined in subdivision five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten of section 265.02, criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree as defined in section 265.11, intimidating a victim or witness in the second degree as defined in section 215.16, soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism in the second degree as defined in section 490.10, and making a terroristic threat as defined in section 490.20, falsely reporting an incident in the first degree as defined in section 240.60, placing a false bomb or hazardous substance in the first degree as defined in section 240.62, placing a
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false bomb or hazardous substance in a sports stadium or arena, mass transportation facility or enclosed shopping mall as defined in section 240.63, and aggravated unpermitted use of indoor pyrotechnics in the first degree as defined in section 405.18.
§ 2. The penal law is amended by adding three new sections 130.36, 130.51 and 130.71 to read as follows: § 130.36 Aggravated rape.
A male is guilty of aggravated rape when he engages in sexual intercourse with a female by forcible compulsion and when, in the course of the commission of the crime or of immediate flight therefrom, he or another participant in the crime:
1. Is armed with a deadly weapon; or
2. Uses or threatens the use of a dangerous instrument; or
3. Causes physical injury to any person who is not a participant in the crime; or
4. Displays what appears to be a firearm.
Aggravated rape is a class A-II felony. § 130.51 Aggravated criminal sexual act.
A person is guilty of aggravated criminal sexual act when he or she engages in oral sexual conduct or anal sexual conduct with another person by forcible compulsion and when, in the course of the commission of the crime or of immediate flight therefrom, he, she or another participant in the crime:
1. Is armed with a deadly weapon; or
2. Uses or threatens the use of a dangerous instrument; or
3. Causes physical injury to any person who is not a participant in the crime; or
4. Displays what appears to be a firearm.
Aggravated criminal sexual act is a class A-II felony. § 130.71 Aggravated sexual abuse in the first degree.
1. A person is guilty of aggravated sexual abuse in the first degree when he or she inserts a finger or foreign object in the vagina, urethra, penis or rectum of another person by forcible compulsion causing physical injury to such person and when, in the course of the commission of the crime or of immediate flight therefrom, he, she or another participant in the crime:
(a) Is armed with a deadly weapon; or
(b) Uses or threatens the use of a dangerous instrument; or
(c) Causes physical injury to any person who is not a participant in the crime; or
(d) Displays what appears to be a firearm.
2. Conduct performed for a valid medical purpose does not violate the provisions of this section.
Aggravated sexual abuse in the first degree is a class A-II felony.
§ 3. Section 130.65-a of the penal law, as added by chapter 1 of the laws of 2000, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 485 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows: § 130.65-a Aggravated sexual abuse in the [fourth] fifth degree.
1. A person is guilty of aggravated sexual abuse in the [fourth] fifth degree when:
(a) He or she inserts a foreign object in the vagina, urethra, penis, rectum or anus of another person and the other person is incapable of consent by reason of some factor other than being less than seventeen years old; or
(b) He or she inserts a finger in the vagina, urethra, penis, rectum or anus of another person causing physical injury to such person and
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such person is incapable of consent by reason of some factor other than being less than seventeen years old.
2. Conduct performed for a valid medical purpose does not violate the provisions of this section.
Aggravated sexual abuse in the [fourth] fifth degree is a class E felony.
§ 4. Section 130.66 of the penal law, as added by chapter 181 of the laws of 1996, subdivisions 1 and 2 as amended by chapter 485 of the laws of 2009, subdivision 3 as renumbered by chapter 1 of the laws of 2000, is amended to read as follows: § 130.66 Aggravated sexual abuse in the [third] fourth degree.
1. A person is guilty of aggravated sexual abuse in the [third] fourth degree when he or she inserts a foreign object in the vagina, urethra, penis, rectum or anus of another person:
(a) By forcible compulsion; or
(b) When the other person is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless; or
(c) When the other person is less than eleven years old.
2. A person is guilty of aggravated sexual abuse in the [third] fourth degree when he or she inserts a foreign object in the vagina, urethra, penis, rectum or anus of another person causing physical injury to such person and such person is incapable of consent by reason of being mentally disabled or mentally incapacitated.
3. Conduct performed for a valid medical purpose does not violate the provisions of this section.
Aggravated sexual abuse in the [third] fourth degree is a class D felony.
§ 5. Section 130.67 of the penal law, as added by chapter 450 of the laws of 1988, the opening paragraph of subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 485 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows: § 130.67 Aggravated sexual abuse in the [second] third degree.
1. A person is guilty of aggravated sexual abuse in the [second] third degree when he or she inserts a finger in the vagina, urethra, penis, rectum or anus of another person causing physical injury to such person:
(a) By forcible compulsion; or
(b) When the other person is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless; or
(c) When the other person is less than eleven years old.
2. Conduct performed for a valid medical purpose does not violate the provisions of this section.
Aggravated sexual abuse in the [second] third degree is a class C felony.
§ 6. Section 130.70 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 450 of the laws of 1988, the opening paragraph of subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 485 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows: § 130.70 Aggravated sexual abuse in the [first] second degree.
1. A person is guilty of aggravated sexual abuse in the [first] second degree when he or she inserts a foreign object in the vagina, urethra, penis, rectum or anus of another person causing physical injury to such person:
(a) By forcible compulsion; or
(b) When the other person is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless; or
(c) When the other person is less than eleven years old.
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2. Conduct performed for a valid medical purpose does not violate the provisions of this section.
Aggravated sexual abuse in the [first] second degree is a class B felony.
§ 7. Subdivisions 2 and 3 of section 720.10 of the criminal procedure law, subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 416 of the laws of 1986, paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 316 of the laws of 2006 and subdivision 3 as amended by chapter 264 of the laws of 2003, are amended to read as follows:
2. "Eligible youth" means a youth who is eligible to be found a youthful offender. Every youth is so eligible unless:
(a) the conviction to be replaced by a youthful offender finding is for (i) a class A-I or class A-II felony, or (ii) an armed felony as defined in subdivision forty-one of section 1.20, except as provided in subdivision three, or (iii) rape in the first degree, criminal sexual act in the first degree, or aggravated sexual abuse in the second degree, except as provided in subdivision three, or
(b) such youth has previously been convicted and sentenced for a felony, or
(c) such youth has previously been adjudicated a youthful offender following conviction of a felony or has been adjudicated on or after September first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight a juvenile delinquent who committed a designated felony act as defined in the family court act.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to aggravated sexual offenses; and to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to youth- ful offender status
Purpose
To provide a higher felony classification for certain forcible sex crimes when such crimes are further aggravated by the presence or use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument or by the infliction of physical injury.
Summary of provisions
The Penal Law is amended by adding three new sections, 130.36, 130.51 and 130.71, which establish the crimes of aggravated rape, aggravated criminal sexual act and aggravated sexual abuse in the first degree. The Penal Law and Criminal Procedure Law are amended to reflect a higher felony classification for certain forcible sex crimes.
Justification
"Forcible compulsion" describes a type of criminal conduct by which a person who engages in sexual activity with another person is guilty of the Class B felonies of first degree rape, first degree sodomy and aggravated sexual abuse. The current definition of forcible compulsion is the result of a number of amendments within the last decade which have eliminated the requirement that the victim of a sexual attack must offer "earnest resistance" or else lose all chance to successfully pros- ecute the attacker. Submission to a sexual attack to preserve one's life or safety is no longer considered as consent to a sex crime. However, an unintentional consequence of this desired reform is that "forcible compulsion" now encompasses a very broad range of criminal behavior. The concept of forcible compulsion, for example, has been extended to include an implied threat which places the victim in fear that a third person will be kidnapped. Furthermore, even if forcible compulsion is accomplished in a minimal manner, current law does not differentiate . between such conduct and that which is accompanied by a serious aggra- vating factor such as the use of a deadly weapon.
This bill does not seek to undo the progress made in the forcible compulsion area. But it is clear that an attacker who possesses or uses a deadly weapon or who inflicts physical injury either to compel submission or as concomitant to the crime presents a higher disregard for, and danger to, human life than that presented in the case of an implied weaponless threat. The law should not continue to give equal weight to vastly divergent criminal activities. Thus it is appropriate that these forcible sex crimes, when further aggravated by the use of weapons, or by the infliction of physical injury, reflect that increased seriousness by being classified at the A-II felony level.
Legislative history
2018: S.830 Committed to Rules 2017: S.830 Passed Senate 2016: S.2994-A Referred to Codes 2015: S.2994 Referred to Codes 2013, 2014: S.2240-A Referred to Codes 2011, 2012: S.753 Referred to Codes 2009, 2010: S.3412 Referred to Codes 2007, 2008: S.388 Referred to Codes 2006: S.6400 Referred to Codes 2003, 2004: S.3316 Referred to Codes 2001, 2002: S.3007 Referred to Codes 1999, 2000: S.3336/A.732 Referred to Codes
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
The first day of November next succeeding the date of enactment into law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.