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NY S00022

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/8/2025

Primary Sponsor

James Tedisco

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2025-2026 General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Creates new Article 66 in criminal procedure law restricting public access to court records in criminal proceedings involving child victims or witnesses, allowing inspection only by court order
  • Requires criminal proceedings involving child victims to be closed upon request by the child, parent, guardian, or advocate, and mandates the child's identity remain anonymous unless the child or their representative requests otherwise
  • Prohibits audio-visual coverage in any criminal proceeding involving a child victim or child witness
  • Expands definition of "child witness" to include any person 18 years or younger who is a crime victim testifying in criminal proceedings (previously limited to victims 14 or younger for specific sex offenses)
  • Mandates that the same prosecutor, advocate, and/or social worker handle all aspects of a case involving a child victim whenever practicable, and strengthens language from "should" to "shall" for judge sensitivity requirements and accommodations like closed-circuit testimony

Legislative Description

Enacts the "child survivor privacy act"; provides protections for child victims and child witnesses; restricts information to the public regarding a child witness or child victim's identity or proceeding; defines child witness; provides that whenever practical, the same prosecutor, advocate, and/or social worker shall handle all aspects of a case involving an alleged child victim.

Last Action

REFERRED TO CODES

1/7/2026

Committee Referrals

Codes1/8/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available