Dan M. Clark is reporting for the New York Law Journal state lawmakers are considering legislation that would add a definition of criminal sexual harassment to the state penal code. The charge would be defined as a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. The measure was introduced in response to the allegations of violent behavior on the part of former state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman toward women with whom he had sexual relationships. Although the accusations ultimately led to Scheiderman's resignation, he did not face criminal charges because there was no applicable law that could be used to prosecute him. Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, a Democrat from Queens, signed on to sponsor the legislation. She said it is intended to address acts of sexual harassment and domestic violence that may go unnoticed and, consequently, not be addressed. The bill has been referred to the Codes Committee in both the State Assembly and Senate. If passed, the bill would take effect this November. Read the full story in the New York Law Journal.