Sen. Patty Ritchie of Heuveleton is hailing a new measure just signed by Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo strengthening laws against internet access of child pornography.

The law prohibits knowingly accessing with the intent of viewing child pornography on the internet.

“I applaud Governor Cuomo for his leadership and for acting quickly to support a measure that would protect the children of New York State,” said Ritchie a Republican and cosponsor of the law.

“Child pornography is an inexcusable abomination. It doesn’t matter whether the material is viewed, downloaded or saved on a computer—child pornography is wrong and those with any sort of involvement should be punished. As a mother and a grandmother, it pains me to think of a child being used for this purpose. I am beyond pleased that this legislation has been signed into law,” Ritchie said.

Right now, under New York law, an individual who views child pornography on a website where the images become automatically embedded in a computer does not "possess" child pornography, and is not charged.

The new legislation closes that loophole. Under the new law if an individual purposefully accesses a website intending to view child pornography he or she will be committing a class E felony.

As a result of this new law, child pornography can never be legally possessed in New York State.

“With the strengthening of these laws, we eliminate any loophole to better protect our children from predators,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo, who signed the measure. “This new law stops criminals who have been able to escape prosecution and punishment for too long.”