ALBANY, NEW YORK – On Thursday, the New York State Senate passed legislation to impose harsher penalties against child pornographers, including increased prison time by way of consecutive sentences, as well as changing punishments from felonies to first degree crimes. The bill also extends protections to all children under the age of 18. Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) is the prime sponsor of the legislation.

The legislation (S2266), would amend current law with the following measures:

1) Ensure that criminals face longer periods in prison when charged with multiple crimes by imposing consecutive sentences;

2) Provide additional protection to minors by increasing the age benchmark of a child from 16 to 18 and;

3) Increase punishments from felonies to first degree crimes for:

- Acts committed against children under 12 years old;

- Use of a child in sexual performance and;

- Promoting obscene sexual performances by a child.

Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) said, “Those who seek to profit from the sexual exploitation of children must feel the full weight of our laws. Right now, New York’s penalties against child pornographers simply aren’t enough. By imposing powerful penalties such as these, we’ll be doing much more to keep these dangerous predators off our streets and out of our communities. My legislation gives criminals what they deserve and most importantly keeps them where they belong—securely behind bars.”

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