Lawmakers in New York are on the brink of passing a bill that would decriminalize adultery, a move that would mark a significant departure from the state's longstanding legal framework. Currently, New York is among 16 states where marital infidelity remains a criminal offense, with penalties including fines of up to $500 or 90 days in jail.
The legislation, introduced by Democrat Charles Lavine, aims to abolish this archaic law, arguing that the state should not regulate consensual adult relationships. Lavine condemned the existing statute as an outdated expression of moral outrage, asserting that societal attitudes toward intimacy have evolved since its inception in 1907.
While prosecutions for adultery have dwindled over the years, with only a handful of cases since 1972, the proposed bill has garnered momentum in the New York Assembly and awaits approval from the state senate.
The Catholic church, historically opposed to adultery, has remained surprisingly neutral on the matter, with some acknowledging the distinction between sin and criminality. If passed, the bill would signal a seismic shift in New York's legal landscape, consigning adultery laws to the annals of legislative history.
