Legislation proposed to end New York’s decadeslong law making adultery a crime

Lawmakers in New York are looking to repeal a nearly centurylong law that has criminalized adultery in the state.

Assemblyman Charles Lavine introduced a bill that would throw out the law, which was enacted in 1907 in an effort to curb the number of divorces, the Associated Press reported. At the time, adultery was the only reason to authorize a divorce. Currently, the law makes adultery in the state a misdemeanor that can be punishable by up to three months in jail.