NY State Assembly Candidate Calls For "Anthony Weiner Law" to Address Situations Where Adults Send Sexually Explicit Language to Minors

LongIsland.com

Call for Albany to clearly address and criminalize situations where adults engage in sexually charged verbal conversations with minors through electronic devices.

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New York State Assembly Candidate Dr. Dean Hart of Long Island: "There is an inherent disconnect between what our society considers lewd and unacceptable behavior and what is actually illegal."

Long Island, NY - September 23, 2016 - Amid reports that the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office issued a subpoena for former Congressman Anthony Weiner’s cell-phone records after allegedly sexting with a 15-year old minor, New York State Democratic Assembly Candidate Dr. Dean Hart of Long Island called for Albany to clearly address and criminalize situations where adults engage in sexually charged verbal conversations with minors through electronic devices.

"There is an inherent disconnect between what our society considers lewd and unacceptable behavior and what is actually illegal," said Dr. Hart. "New York, the home of disgraced Congressman Anthony Weiner, should be the first state to clearly make it illegal for an adult to electronically send sexually explicit language to minors." 

Current sexting laws clearly prohibit adults from taking, sending, and receiving nude or sexual photos, and videos by electronic means to and from minors, but sexually charged conversations are not covered, unless it includes an invitation to send explicit images, or engage in a sexual act. 

"New York should be a leader in strengthening our sexting laws, said Dr. Hart. "As as member of the state Assembly, I will introduce the "Anthony Weiner bill"  to close loopholes where adults can get away with creepy behavior that includes sending sexually charged messages to innocent minors."