This week, Assemblymember Fred W. Thiele Jr. (I-Sag Harbor) applauded the Assembly Passage of A.6391-A, an act that would remove the penetration requirement from rape statutes and redefine rape as sexual intercourse, oral sexual conduct, or anal sexual conduct. This bill was first introduced to the Assembly in 2012 in response to the New York State Supreme Court declaring a mistrial in a rape charge despite an overwhelming amount of evidence suggesting forcible, nonconsensual sexual conduct. In every session since the Assembly and Assemblymember Thiele has supported this crucial piece of legislation.

“New York State took a step towards ensuring survivors can seek the justice they deserve. Our current law disgracefully neglects heinous crimes, and the changes made by the provisions of this bill are long overdue. I thank Assemblymember Cruz for championing A.6391-A and urge the Senate to secure its passage expeditiously.”