New York State Assemblyman James Conte recently appeared on the nationally-syndicated John Walsh Show to discuss legislation that would make it a felony to videotape an individual without his or her consent.

Conte taped the program on Jan. 15 with the show's host John Walsh, a widely-recognized crime victims' advocate, who rose to national prominence as the host of television's America's Most Wanted. The lawmaker urged passage of a Republican-sponsored bill that would make video voyeurism a felony in New York State. Under current law, no such crime exists.

"Thanks to the efforts of John Walsh and other victims' advocates, 24 states now have laws on the books that deal with this growing national problem," Conte told viewers of the program.

"I am pleased to have once again been tapped to appear on the John Walsh Show. John is a true advocate for the rights of crime victims throughout the country," said Conte, who first appeared on the show in November with local Huntington resident Stephanie Fuller. Fuller was secretly videotaped in her own bedroom by her landlord, who was later charged only with burglary. The case is still pending.

According to Conte, the Assembly Republican conference has made passage of the bill a priority this year. The measure is part of their recently-released New York First legislative package.

"As we begin a new session, there is continued broad support for legislation making it illegal to videotape New Yorkers without their consent. I applaud Senator Marcellino for re-introducing this bill in the Senate, as well as Governor Pataki for speaking out in favor of the concept. We must get the Assembly Majority to introduce a bill making this awful crime a felony and get it through our chamber and signed by the governor without delay," Conte said.

This is the third program Walsh has dedicated to videotaping someone without their knowledge or consent. Appearing on this particular show were victims of video voyeurism, an Internet provider and a constitutional lawyer who defended a practice known as "upskirting."

The program featuring Assemblyman Conte will air this Friday, Jan. 24. The John Walsh Show runs Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. on Channel 4, the local NBC-TV affiliate.