Repeals provisions relating to persons knowing themselves to be infected with venereal disease.
Summary
S04545 repeals section 2307 of the New York Public Health Law, which is the provision relating to persons who know themselves to be infected with venereal disease. The bill is a straightforward repeal measure: it deletes the existing statute in its entirety and provides that the act takes effect immediately.
The bill also bars any prosecution or other action from being commenced or continued under the repealed section after the effective date. In practical terms, it eliminates this specific criminal/public health provision from state law and ends ongoing enforcement under that section once the bill becomes law.
Impact
This bill would remove section 2307 from the Public Health Law, changing the legal framework governing conduct by persons who know they are infected with a venereal disease. It would prevent new prosecutions or actions under that section and halt pending matters brought under it after the effective date. The repeal affects state public health enforcement and any individuals previously subject to liability under the statute.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill had meaningful but not overwhelming support. It passed the Senate Codes Committee 8-4 and later passed the Senate floor 38-21, indicating a majority in favor but with a substantial minority opposed. No committee transcript is available, so the record shows support for repeal, but also clear resistance from some members.
Contention
The main point of contention is the elimination of a public health-related offense tied to knowingly having a venereal disease. Supporters likely viewed the provision as outdated or inappropriate, while opponents appear to have been concerned about removing a tool for public health enforcement or accountability. The recorded committee and floor votes show that the issue divided senators, with opposition significant enough to produce a split vote at both stages.
Relates to criminal liability for persons living with sexually transmitted infections who engage in sexual activity; repeals provisions relating to persons knowing themselves to be infected with venereal disease.
Provides for the designation by a general hospital of persons to identify infectious disease processes, conduct surveillance and epidemiologic investigations, and develop plans to prevent and control the transmission of infectious agents within general hospitals.
Repeals provisions relating to sale and use taxes with respect to data centers to include both personal property purchased by internet data centers and services performed on said personal property purchased by data centers.
Repeals provisions relating to sale and use taxes with respect to data centers to include both personal property purchased by internet data centers and services performed on said personal property purchased by data centers.
Authorizes the chief executive of a responding law enforcement agency to designate an area within a municipality as an active recovery zone in response to certain natural or man-made disasters or emergencies; limits access to such zones to residents and other affected persons, first responders, and certain authorized personnel; imposes a penalty of a class B misdemeanor for knowing unauthorized access to such zones; makes related provisions.