Cornell rape allegations renew push to change New York sexual assault law

New York lawmakers are pushing to change the state's sexual assault laws following prosecutors' claims that current regulations hindered charges in a gang-rape case at Cornell University. The proposed legislation would allow prosecutors to focus on whether the victim was capable of consenting, regardless of how intoxicated they were, especially in cases where alcohol or drugs were voluntarily consumed. Bills S10632 in the Senate and A101 in the Assembly are sponsored by Jeffrey Dinowitz and Nathalia Fernandez.