NY S09762

Creates Article 66 of Criminal Procedure Law to restrict public access to records of criminal proceedings involving child victims and child witnesses, with court discretion to permit inspection by authorized parties.

Requires criminal proceedings with child victims to be closed proceedings upon request by the child victim, parent, guardian, or advocate, limiting access to court records to parties, attorneys, guardians, court evaluators, and the court.

Makes the identity of child victims anonymous throughout proceedings unless the child victim, parent, guardian, or advocate requests otherwise.

Prohibits audio-visual coverage in criminal proceedings involving child victims or child witnesses as defined in existing law.

Expands the definition of "child witness" to include persons 18 years old or less who are victims of any crime and called to testify, and requires prosecutors, advocates, and social workers to collaborate to minimize stress on child victims during case investigations and proceedings.