Relates to consent

This bill (S 4540) amends New York's penal law to clarify that consent for sexual contact must be a "knowing, voluntary, and mutual decision among all participants," defined through clear words or actions showing ongoing permission. It specifies that consent is absent when there is forcible compulsion, incapacity, or when a victim clearly expresses lack of consent (e.g., verbal withdrawal or non-agreement under reasonable circumstances). The law directly affects how sexual assault cases are legally evaluated, particularly in defining rape, sexual abuse, and forcible touching offenses. The amendment takes effect 30 days after enactment.