American politician, Franz S. Leichter has been reported dead. According to his family, he died on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at age 92. It was also reported that he battled cognitive heart failure and recently also battled pneumonia, as well as end-stage renal failure.
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Born on August 19, 1930, Franz S. Leichter was first elected to the New York State Assembly in November 1968, and remained in the Assembly until 1974, sitting in the 178th, 179th, and 180th New York State Legislatures.
He was best known for drafting a bill expanding abortion rights together with Republican Assemblywoman Constance Cook of upstate Tompkins County, New York, proposing legislation that included no restrictions on the practice of abortion.
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The bill was passed in the Senate on March 8, 1970, after five hours of debate by a vote of 31-26. For the Assembly, the bill was amended to allow for women to have abortions until their 24th week of pregnancy or at any time to protect the life of the mother.
The bill, named the Cook-Leichter bill was the first in the nation to legalize abortion. The law influenced the U. S. Supreme Court ruling in its landmark January 1873 Roe v. Wade decision.
Leichter also introduced the New York City canine waste law, commonly known as the “proper-scooper” law, which requires dog owners in New York City to clean up after their pets. It was adopted throughout the city since it was enacted in 1979.
He announced his retirement from the Senate in 1998 at age 67, and was succeeded by Eric Schneiderman who also became the New York Attorney General in 2010.
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