Exempts volunteers in recreational activities, including but not limited to, little league coaches, managers, assistants and members of the board of directors from civil liability while providing services or rendering assistance to a player or participant as a result of his or her acts of commission or omission arising out of or in the course of his or her rendering such services or assistance during competitive games and practices.
Authorizes courts to exercise discretion permitting a courthouse facility dog for use by witnesses to be used in any judicial proceeding; provides that courts with an available courthouse facility dog must allow a witness under eighteen years of age, or who has a developmental disability, to use a courthouse facility dog to accompany such person while testifying in court; allows any witness who does not meet the criteria of being under eighteen years of age or having a developmental disability to use a courthouse facility dog, if available, to accompany them while testifying in court; defines terms; makes related provisions.
Provides that a surrogate court clerk or chief clerk shall refuse to accept for filing papers filed in a proceeding only under certain circumstances or as designated in statute, administrative rule or order of the court; provides such reasons; requires the payment of any applicable statutory fees, or an order of the court waiving payment of such fees, before accepting a paper for filing; makes related provisions.
Requires that in order to commence a summary proceeding for eviction in the city of Syracuse pursuant to article 7 of the real property actions and proceedings law, the party must plead and prove compliance with any local law requiring the registration or licensure of residential rental dwellings.
Requires the court to consider a child's health and safety when making a decision regarding child custody and visitation; directs the court to review certain information as it relates to allegations of child abuse, domestic violence and child safety; requires the court to appoint an attorney to represent the child when credible allegations of serious risk to the child's safety have been made.
Relates to the form of the juror qualification questionnaire; provides that such questionnaire shall only require a prospective juror who is not a citizen of the United States to certify, under penalty of perjury, that he or she is not a citizen.
Authorizes justice courts to exercise jurisdiction over commercial claims arising out of a transaction between a claimant and a natural person, wherein the money, property or service which is the subject of the transaction is primarily for personal, family or household purposes.
Enacts "Melanie's law"; relates to orders of protection; allows courts to issue orders of protection for immediate family members or household members of the named victims, regardless of age.