Overview

• New York lawmakers advocate for legislation to allow 'prior bad acts' testimony in sexual assault trials, following a court decision that overturned Harvey Weinstein's conviction.
• The bill, supported by both Democrats and Republicans, seeks to align state laws with federal standards and over a dozen other states.
• Survivors and advocates emphasize the necessity of the bill for a fair retrial and to prevent similar legal setbacks in future cases.
• Governor Kathy Hochul's administration is reviewing the proposed changes, with a decision expected before the legislative session ends.
• The legislation could be pivotal for Weinstein's upcoming retrial, enabling previously disallowed witness testimonies.