NY S02552

Amends Civil Practice Law and Rules to establish the "Sunshine in Litigation Act," prohibiting courts from entering orders or judgments that conceal public hazards or information useful to the public in protecting themselves from injury or property damage.

Defines "public hazard" as any condition of a device, instrument, person, procedure, product, or property that has caused injury or creates a risk of future injury, and "trade secret" as information deriving independent economic value from not being generally known.

Voids any agreement or contract provision that conceals a public hazard or identifying information, declaring such provisions contrary to public policy and unenforceable in New York courts.

Allows substantially affected persons and news media representatives standing to contest orders, judgments, agreements, or contracts that violate public hazard disclosure requirements through motion to the court.

Requires courts to conduct in camera review of disputed information and order release of materials concerning public hazards, limiting release to only the portion necessary for public identification and protection from the hazard.

Declares settlement or resolution documents relating to claims against governmental entities that conceal public hazard information to be public records subject to disclosure under the Public Officers Law, with applicable sanctions for non-compliance.