A six-year push to close a loophole in New York’s sexual assault laws failed again as Assembly leaders blocked a vote on a bill that would ensure prosecutors can bring charges when the victim is intoxicated.
The Senate unanimously approved the bill in May — for the fifth time since 2020 — and 92 Assembly members from both parties had signed on as co-sponsors, more than enough to approve it. But the Assembly Rules Committee, led by Speaker Carl Heastie, denied them the opportunity as that chamber finished its 2025 session on Wednesday, June 18, without bringing the bill to the floor.
