New York lawmakers passed a bill to repeal a 1907 law criminalizing adultery in the state. The state Senate approved the bill almost unanimously, while the state Assembly passed it last month. Gov. Kathy Hochul will make the final decision after reviewing the legislation. The little-known and rarely enforced law from 1907 makes adultery a crime in New York, but could soon be a thing of the past. Laws banning adultery still exist in several states throughout the country, but they are seldom enforced.
The New York law was initially implemented to bring down the number of divorces at a time when adultery was the only way to secure a legal split. Adultery is classified as a misdemeanor in the state penal code and punishable by up to three months behind bars. It is defined in New York as engaging in sexual intercourse with another person while one or both parties have a living spouse. The statute has been on the books for over 100 years but has been infrequently used in recent decades. The latest adultery charge in New York was filed in 2010 against a woman caught engaging in a sexual act in a public park, but it was later dropped as part of a plea bargain.
New York is not the only state where adultery is still considered a crime. Several other states, mostly as a misdemeanor, also have laws against adultery. However, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Michigan treat adultery as a felony offense. The repeal of the 1907 law in New York is a step towards decriminalizing adultery and reflects changing attitudes towards personal relationships. With the law rarely being enforced and society’s evolving views on marriage and fidelity, the repeal of the statute is seen as a reflection of modern values and norms.
The bill to repeal the 1907 law was passed by New York lawmakers with overwhelming support. The state Senate approved the bill almost unanimously, and the state Assembly passed it last month. Now, it is up to Gov. Kathy Hochul to make the final decision after reviewing the legislation. Hochul’s office has stated that she will review the bill, but it remains to be seen what action she will take. The repeal of the adultery law in New York is part of an ongoing effort to update and modernize state laws to reflect contemporary social standards.
The decision to repeal the adultery law comes at a time when attitudes towards relationships and marriage are evolving. With changing views on marriage, fidelity, and personal freedoms, the criminalization of adultery is seen as outdated and unnecessary. The rarity of enforcement of the law in recent decades further underscores the need to repeal it. While adultery laws may still exist in other states, the repeal of the law in New York is a significant step towards recognizing the rights and autonomy of individuals in matters of personal relationships and personal conduct.
In conclusion, the repeal of the 1907 law criminalizing adultery in New York is a positive step towards updating state laws to reflect modern values and beliefs. The overwhelming support from lawmakers in passing the bill to repeal the statute demonstrates a shift in societal attitudes towards relationships and personal freedoms. While adultery laws may still exist in other states, the repeal of the law in New York signifies progress towards decriminalizing personal conduct and recognizing individual rights in matters of personal relationships. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s pending decision on the bill will be key in determining the future of the adultery law in the state and how it aligns with contemporary values and norms.
