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NY S01641

Bill

Status

Engrossed

4/28/2025

Primary Sponsor

Nathalia Fernandez

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2025-2026 General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Allows vulnerable elderly persons to have a social worker or informal caregiver present for emotional support when testifying in grand jury proceedings for any type of offense, with district attorney consent

  • Expands protections beyond the previous law, which limited support for elderly witnesses to specific crimes like assault, sex offenses, and homicide

  • Separates provisions for elderly witnesses from those for child witnesses (age 12 and under), creating a distinct paragraph in the criminal procedure law

  • Requires support persons to take an oath of secrecy regarding all grand jury matters and prohibits them from answering questions for the witness or otherwise participating in proceedings

  • Takes effect immediately upon passage

Legislative Description

Relates to permitting support to a vulnerable elderly person testifying in grand jury proceedings; allows a social worker or informal caregiver to accompany a vulnerable elderly person testifying in a grand jury proceeding, concerning any type of offense, provided that the district attorney consents.

Last Action

REFERRED TO CODES

1/7/2026

Committee Referrals

Codes1/7/2026
Codes4/28/2025
Codes1/13/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available