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State of the state to include styrofoam ban, closing rape intoxication loophole

Dec 17, 2019 1:45 pm
Cayla Harris is reporting for Capitol Confidential Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo December 17, announced his two latest priorities for the 2020 State of the State address: prohibiting the use of styrofoam containers and classifying protections for rape survivors who were voluntarily intoxicated when they were assaulted. The proposed styrofoam ban would outlaw packing peanuts and other single-use styrofoam containers used in restaurants, grocery stores and retailers. Violators would be fined up to $2,000 depending on the number of offenses. The second proposal identified would close a loophole in state law concerning rape and sexual assault. Cuomo intends to introduce legislation to expand the law to include voluntary ingestion, which would allow someone who intentionally drinks alcohol to potentially pursue charges against their abuser. The 2020 State of the State Address will be delivered 1:30 p.m., January 8 in Albany. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.