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New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio announced Tuesday that the State Senate has recently taken a tremendous step forward in protecting victims of sexual crimes and ensuring that the perpetrators are properly punished by enacting Senate Bills (S.6679 and S.6680).

The two measures, sponsored by Nozzolio, will raise the penalty for sexual abuse in the second degree from a class A misdemeanor to a class E felony and will increase criminal penalties for sexual contact between a minor and a person in a position of trust. Currently, the crime of sexual abuse in the second degree is punishable by up to one year in prison, Senate Bill S.6679 would require a more adequate prison term for those who perpetrate this heinous crime.

"There is nothing more important than the safety of our children. Parents cannot be with their children every moment of the day, so they should be able to have a sense of security that the adults who are entrusted with their child's care are not subjecting them to any form of sexual abuse," said Nozzolio. "I am strongly urging my colleagues in both Houses of the Legislature to join me in adopting laws that will help prevent crimes against children and severely punish those who prey upon them."

"Sexual predators prey on the innocent and are among the most dangerous criminals because of their tendency to commit repeated acts of sexual violence. As Chairman of the Senate Codes Committee, I fought to ensure that these measures would become law to save lives, protect our children and keep our communities safe," he concluded .

The measure awaits action by the New York State Assembly.

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