NY S06658

Amends Civil Practice Law and Rules Section 4106 to allow courts discretionary authority to retain alternate jurors after final submission of a case to ensure availability if needed.

Changes alternate juror selection from mandatory discharge after case submission to optional retention at court discretion.

Permits alternate jurors to participate in deliberations only if a regular juror becomes unable to perform duties after deliberations have begun.

Requires both party request and court consent for drawing one or more alternate jurors, drawn from the same source and subject to same qualifications as regular jurors.

Takes effect January 1 following enactment and applies to actions commenced on or after that date and pending actions where jury selection has not yet occurred.