Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has come under scrutiny for quietly blocking a bill aimed at closing a loophole in New York State’s rape laws. The legislation, introduced by Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, received bipartisan support in the lower chamber and successfully passed out of the Codes committee in February. The Senate also unanimously approved its own version of the bill.
However, this month, the bill failed to make it onto the agenda of the Rules committee, which is chaired by Heastie and holds the final decision on whether legislation proceeds to the Assembly floor. Sources indicate that if Heastie had supported the bill, it would have easily passed without any obstacles.
Advocates have strongly criticized Heastie for effectively killing the bill, arguing that he should be particularly concerned about the issue given the alarming 25% increase in reported rapes this year in the 49th Precinct, which encompasses the Laconia neighborhood where Heastie’s office is located, according to NYPD data from 2023.
Elizabeth da Trindade-Asher, co-chair of the Justice Without Exclusion Coalition, expressed her disappointment, stating that current New York State laws are insufficient to protect individuals when they are at their most vulnerable, especially survivors of rape. She accused Speaker Heastie of perpetuating this problem.
Despite requests for comment, a spokesman for Heastie did not respond. Assemblyman Dinowitz also declined to provide a statement.
The blocking of this bill by Speaker Heastie raises concerns about the state’s commitment to addressing sexual assault and protecting survivors. The decision has sparked a debate on the effectiveness of current rape laws and the need for legislative action to close existing loopholes.
2 Responses
I appreciate the author shedding light on this issue regarding Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and the bill aimed at closing a loophole in New York State’s rape laws. I would be interested to hear the author’s thoughts or opinions on why Speaker Heastie chose to block the bill quietly, and what potential implications this may have for survivors of sexual assault in the state. Additionally, I would like to know if the author believes there should be more transparency and accountability in the legislative process when it comes to addressing
I appreciate you bringing up this important issue. I would be interested to know the author’s thoughts on the reasons behind Speaker Carl Heastie’s decision to block the bill. Does the author believe there are valid reasons for this action, or do they see it as a concerning move that could potentially hinder progress in addressing rape laws in New York State?