STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 68 2025-2026 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled) January 8, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. HEVESI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Children and Families AN ACT to amend the family court act and the judiciary law, in relation to the discovery provisions applicable to juvenile delinquency proceedings in family court; and to repeal certain provisions of the family court act relating thereto The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Sections 331.1, 331.2, 331.3, 331.4, 331.5, 331.6 and 331.7 2 of the family court act are REPEALED. 3 § 2. The family court act is amended by adding thirteen new sections 4 331.1, 331.2, 331.3, 331.4, 331.5, 331.6, 331.7, 331.8, 331.9, 331.10, 5 331.11, 331.12 and 331.13 to read as follows: 6 § 331.1. Initial appearance. 1. Disclosure. At the respondent's 7 initial appearance, as defined in section 320.1 of this article, if the 8 court directs detention pursuant to subdivision three of section 320.5 9 of this article, the presentment agency shall forthwith disclose to the 10 respondent, and permit the respondent to discover, inspect, copy, photo- 11 graph and test, all items and information set forth in paragraphs (a) 12 through (u) of subdivision one of section 331.3 of this part that are 13 within the presentment agency's possession at the time of the initial 14 appearance. If the court does not direct detention, the presentment 15 agency shall disclose to the respondent: 16 (a) any police or other law enforcement agency reports and written 17 witness statements relating to the juvenile delinquency proceeding 18 against the respondent that are within the presentment agency's 19 possession at that time; 20 (b) electronic recordings relating to the juvenile delinquency 21 proceeding against the respondent that are within the presentment agen- EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD00029-01-5
A. 68 2 1 cy's possession at that time, in accordance with paragraph (g) of subdi- 2 vision one of section 331.3 of this part; and 3 (c) exculpatory information known to the presentment agency at that 4 time. 5 (d) where the charges were removed from a youth part pursuant to arti- 6 cle seven hundred twenty-five of the criminal procedure law and the 7 attorney for the child did not represent the respondent in the youth 8 part, all discovery material previously provided pursuant to article two 9 hundred forty-five of the criminal procedure law. 10 2. Copy of records. If in the exercise of reasonable diligence and due 11 to the limited availability of resources for downloading or copying 12 recordings, a copy of an electronic recording discoverable under this 13 section is unavailable at the initial appearance, a copy shall be made 14 and disclosed to the respondent as soon as practicable but not later 15 than five calendar days after the initial appearance, provided, however, 16 that if the respondent is in detention, a copy shall be made not later 17 than three days after the initial appearance. Portions of materials 18 under this section claimed to be non-discoverable may be withheld pend- 19 ing a prompt request by the presentment agency for a determination and 20 ruling of the court under section 331.11 of this part; but the discover- 21 able portions of such materials shall be disclosed to the extent practi- 22 cable. 23 § 331.2. Timing of discovery after the initial appearance. 1. 24 Presentment agency's performance of obligations. (a) The presentment 25 agency shall perform its initial discovery obligations under subdivision 26 one of section 331.3 of this part as soon as practicable but not later 27 than fifteen calendar days after the respondent's initial appearance or, 28 if the respondent is in detention, not later than three days prior to 29 the first scheduled fact-finding hearing date, or seven days after the 30 initial appearance, whichever is earlier. Portions of materials claimed 31 to be non-discoverable may be withheld pending a determination and 32 ruling of the court under section 331.11 of this part; but the respond- 33 ent shall be notified in writing that information has not been disclosed 34 under a particular subdivision of this section, and the discoverable 35 portions of such materials shall be disclosed to the extent practicable. 36 When the discoverable materials are exceptionally voluminous, the time 37 periods in this paragraph may be stayed by up to an additional ten 38 calendar days or, if the respondent is in detention, up to an additional 39 period of three days without need for a motion pursuant to subdivision 40 two of section 331.11 of this part. 41 (b) The presentment agency shall perform its supplemental discovery 42 obligations under subdivision three of section 331.3 of this part as 43 soon as practicable but not later than fifteen calendar days prior to 44 the first scheduled fact-finding hearing date, unless the respondent is 45 in detention, in which case the presentment agency shall fulfill its 46 supplemental discovery obligations not later than three days prior to 47 the first scheduled fact-finding hearing date. 48 2. Respondent's performance of obligations. The respondent shall 49 perform the required discovery obligations under subdivision four of 50 section 331.3 of this part not later than twenty-five calendar days 51 after being served with the presentment agency's certificate of compli- 52 ance pursuant to subdivision two of section 331.6 of this part or not 53 later than three days prior to the first scheduled fact-finding hearing 54 date, whichever is earlier. Portions of materials claimed to be non-dis- 55 coverable may be withheld pending a determination and ruling of the 56 court under section 331.11 of this part; but the presentment agency
A. 68 3 1 shall be notified in writing that information has not been disclosed 2 under a particular section. 3 3. Timing adjustment. The time periods in this section may be adjusted 4 by the court upon a finding of good cause based upon the needs of the 5 case, the detention status of the respondent and the need for a fair and 6 expeditious resolution of the proceeding. 7 § 331.3. Automatic discovery. 1. Initial discovery for the respondent. 8 The presentment agency shall disclose to the respondent, and permit the 9 respondent to discover, inspect, copy, photograph and test, all items 10 and information that relate to the subject matter of the case and are in 11 the possession, custody or control of the presentment agency or persons 12 under the presentment agency's direction or control, including but not 13 limited to: 14 (a) All written or recorded statements, and the substance of all oral 15 statements, made by the respondent or a co-respondent to a public serv- 16 ant engaged in law enforcement activity or to a person then acting under 17 their direction or in cooperation with such public servant. 18 (b) All transcripts of the testimony of a person who has testified 19 before a grand jury in a related criminal proceeding, including but not 20 limited to the respondent or a co-respondent. The presentment agency 21 shall request that the prosecutor of the matter before the grand jury 22 provide a transcript of the testimony and, upon receipt of the request, 23 the prosecutor shall promptly apply to the appropriate criminal court, 24 with written notice to the presentment agency and the respondent, for a 25 written order pursuant to section three hundred twenty-five of the judi- 26 ciary law releasing a transcript to the presentment agency; provided, 27 however, that the transcripts of the grand jury proceedings in a case 28 removed from the youth part pursuant to article seven hundred twenty- 29 five of the criminal procedure law shall be annexed to the petition or 30 transferred to the family court in accordance with subdivision seven of 31 section 311.1 of this article. If in the exercise of reasonable dili- 32 gence, and due to the limited availability of transcription resources, a 33 transcript is unavailable for disclosure within the time period speci- 34 fied in subdivision one of section 331.2 of this part, such time period 35 may be stayed by up to an additional fifteen calendar days or, if the 36 respondent is in detention, an additional period of three days, without 37 need for a motion pursuant to subdivision two of section 331.11 of this 38 part; provided, however, that such disclosure shall be made as soon as 39 practicable and not later than fifteen calendar days prior to the first 40 scheduled fact-finding hearing date, unless the respondent is in 41 detention, in which case such disclosure shall be made not later than 42 three days prior to the first scheduled fact-finding hearing date, 43 unless an order is obtained pursuant to section 331.11 of this part. 44 When the court is required to review grand jury transcripts, the 45 presentment agency shall disclose such transcripts to the court expe- 46 ditiously upon receipt by such agency, notwithstanding the otherwise 47 applicable time periods for disclosure in this part. 48 (c) The names of, and adequate alternative contact information for, 49 all persons other than law enforcement personnel whom the presentment 50 agency knows to have evidence or information relevant to any act of 51 juvenile delinquency charged or to any potential defense thereto, 52 including a designation by the presentment agency as to which of those 53 persons may be called as witnesses. Nothing in this paragraph shall 54 require the disclosure of physical addresses; provided, however, upon a 55 motion and good cause shown the court may direct the disclosure of a 56 physical residence. Information under this subdivision relating to a
A. 68 4 1 confidential informant may be withheld, and redacted from discovery 2 materials, without need for a motion pursuant to section 331.11 of this 3 part; but the presentment agency shall notify the respondent in writing 4 that such information has not been disclosed, unless the court rules 5 otherwise for good cause shown. 6 (d) The name and work affiliation of all law enforcement personnel 7 whom the presentment agency knows to have evidence or information rele- 8 vant to any offense charged or to any potential defense thereto, includ- 9 ing a designation by the presentment agency as to which of those persons 10 may be called as witnesses. Information under this subdivision relating 11 to undercover personnel may be withheld, and redacted from discovery 12 materials, without need for a motion pursuant to section 331.11 of this 13 part; but the presentment agency shall notify the respondent in writing 14 that such information has not been disclosed, unless the court rules 15 otherwise for good cause shown. 16 (e) All statements, written or recorded or summarized in any writing 17 or recording, made by persons who have evidence or information relevant 18 to any offense charged or to any potential defense thereto, including 19 all police reports, notes of police and other investigators, and law 20 enforcement agency reports. This provision also includes statements, 21 written or recorded or summarized in any writing or recording, by 22 persons to be called as witnesses at pre-fact-finding hearings. 23 (f) Expert opinion evidence, including the name, business address, 24 current curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and all proficiency 25 tests and results administered or taken in the current employment or 26 within the past ten years, whichever is longer, of each expert witness 27 whom the presentment agency intends to call as a witness at the fact- 28 finding hearing or at a pre-trial motion hearing, and all reports 29 prepared by the expert that pertain to the case, or if no report is 30 prepared, a written statement of the facts and opinions to which the 31 expert is expected to testify and a summary of the grounds for each 32 opinion. If in the exercise of reasonable diligence this information is 33 unavailable for disclosure within the time period specified in subdivi- 34 sion one of section 331.2 of this part, that period shall be stayed 35 without need for a motion pursuant to subdivision two of section 331.11 36 of this part; except that the presentment agency shall notify the 37 respondent in writing that such information has not been disclosed, and 38 such disclosure shall be made as soon as practicable and not later than 39 fifteen calendar days prior to the first scheduled fact-finding hearing 40 date, or, if the respondent is in detention, not later than three days 41 prior to the first scheduled fact-finding hearing date, unless an order 42 is obtained pursuant to section 331.11 of this part. When the present- 43 ment agency's expert witness is being called in response to disclosure 44 of an expert witness by the respondent, the court shall alter a sched- 45 uled fact-finding hearing date, if necessary, to allow the presentment 46 agency fifteen calendar days to make the disclosure and the respondent 47 fifteen calendar days to prepare and respond to the new materials, 48 unless the respondent is in detention, in which case the court may alter 49 the scheduled fact-finding hearing date, if necessary, to allow the 50 presentment agency an additional three days to make the disclosure and 51 the respondent three days to prepare and respond to the new materials. 52 (g) All tapes or other electronic recordings, including all electronic 53 recordings of 911 telephone calls made or received in connection with 54 the alleged incident of juvenile delinquency, and a designation by the 55 presentment agency as to which of the recordings under this paragraph 56 the presentment agency intends to introduce at fact-finding hearing or a
A. 68 5 1 pre-trial motion hearing. If the discoverable materials under this para- 2 graph exceed ten hours in total length, the presentment agency may 3 disclose only the recordings that it intends to introduce at fact-find- 4 ing hearing or a pre-fact-finding hearing, along with a list of the 5 source and approximate quantity of other recordings and their general 6 subject matter if known, and the respondent shall have the right upon 7 request to obtain recordings not previously disclosed. The presentment 8 agency shall disclose the requested materials as soon as practicable and 9 not less than fifteen calendar days after the respondent's request, or, 10 if the respondent is in detention, not less than three days after the 11 respondent's request, unless an order is obtained pursuant to section 12 331.11 of this part. 13 (h) All photographs and drawings made or completed by a public servant 14 engaged in law enforcement activity, or which were made by a person whom 15 the presentment agency intends to call as a witness at fact-finding or a 16 pre-trial motion hearing or which relate to the subject matter of the 17 proceeding. 18 (i) All photographs, photocopies and reproductions made by or at the 19 direction of law enforcement personnel of any property prior to its 20 release. 21 (j) All reports, documents, records, data, calculations or writings, 22 including but not limited to preliminary tests and screening results and 23 bench notes and analyses performed or stored electronically, concerning 24 physical or mental examinations, or scientific tests or experiments or 25 comparisons, relating to the juvenile delinquency proceeding which were 26 made by or at the request or direction of a public servant engaged in 27 law enforcement activity, or which were made by a person whom the 28 presentment agency intends to call as a witness at fact-finding or a 29 pre-trial motion hearing, or which the presentment agency intends to 30 introduce at fact-finding or a pre-trial motion hearing. Information 31 under this paragraph also includes, but is not limited to, laboratory 32 information management system records relating to such materials, any 33 preliminary or final findings of non-conformance with accreditation, 34 industry or governmental standards or laboratory protocols, and any 35 conflicting analyses or results by laboratory personnel regardless of 36 the laboratory's final analysis or results. If the presentment agency 37 submitted one or more items for testing to, or received results from, a 38 forensic science laboratory or similar entity not under the presentment 39 agency's direction or control, the court on motion of a party shall 40 issue subpoenas or orders to such laboratory or entity to cause materi- 41 als under this paragraph to be made available for disclosure. 42 (k) All evidence and information, including that which is known to 43 police or other law enforcement agencies acting on the government's 44 behalf in the case, that tends to: (i) negate the respondent's guilt as 45 to a charged act of juvenile delinquency; (ii) reduce the degree of or 46 mitigate the respondent's culpability as to a charged act of juvenile 47 delinquency; (iii) support a potential defense to a charged act of juve- 48 nile delinquency; (iv) impeach the credibility of a testifying present- 49 ment agency witness; (v) undermine evidence of the respondent's identity 50 as a perpetrator of a charged act of juvenile delinquency; (vi) provide 51 a basis for a motion to suppress evidence; or (vii) mitigate the 52 restrictiveness of the disposition. Information under this subdivision 53 shall be disclosed whether or not such information is recorded in tangi- 54 ble form and irrespective of whether the presentment agency credits the 55 information. The presentment agency shall disclose the information expe- 56 ditiously upon its receipt and shall not delay disclosure if it is
A. 68 6 1 obtained earlier than the time period for disclosure in subdivision one 2 of section 331.2 of this part. 3 (l) A summary of all promises, rewards and inducements made to, or in 4 favor of, persons who may be called as witnesses, as well as requests 5 for consideration by persons who may be called as witnesses and copies 6 of all documents relevant to a promise, reward or inducement. 7 (m) A list of all tangible objects obtained from, or allegedly 8 possessed by, the respondent or a co-respondent. The list shall include 9 a designation by the presentment agency as to which objects were phys- 10 ically or constructively possessed by the respondent and were recovered 11 during a search or seizure by a public servant or an agent thereof, and 12 which tangible objects were recovered by a public servant or an agent 13 thereof after allegedly being abandoned by the respondent. If the 14 presentment agency intends to prove the respondent's possession of any 15 tangible objects by means of a statutory presumption of possession, it 16 shall designate such intention as to each such object. If reasonably 17 practicable, the presentment agency shall also designate the location 18 from which each tangible object was recovered. There is also a right to 19 inspect, copy, photograph and test the listed tangible objects. 20 (n) Whether a search warrant has been executed and all documents 21 relating thereto, including but not limited to the warrant, the warrant 22 application, supporting affidavits, a police inventory of all property 23 seized under the warrant, and a transcript of all testimony or other 24 oral communications offered in support of the warrant application. 25 (o) All tangible property that relates to the subject matter of the 26 case, along with a designation of which items the presentment agency 27 intends to introduce in its case-in-chief at fact-finding hearing or at 28 a pre-trial motion hearing. If in the exercise of reasonable diligence 29 the presentment agency has not formed an intention within the time peri- 30 od specified in subdivision one of section 331.2 of this part that an 31 item under this paragraph will be introduced at fact-finding hearing or 32 at a pre-trial motion hearing, the presentment agency shall notify the 33 respondent in writing, and the time period in which to designate items 34 as exhibits shall be stayed without need for a motion pursuant to subdi- 35 vision two of section 331.11 of this part; but the disclosure shall be 36 made as soon as practicable, but not later than fifteen calendar days 37 prior to the first scheduled fact-finding hearing date, unless the 38 respondent is in detention, in which case such disclosure shall be made 39 no later than three days prior to the first scheduled fact-finding hear- 40 ing date. All property under this paragraph is subject to the continuing 41 duty to disclose pursuant to section 331.9 of this part. 42 (p) The results of complete checks of juvenile delinquency fingerprint 43 records or criminal history records, as applicable, as well as any 44 history of juvenile delinquency adjudications known to the presentment 45 agency and not sealed, for all respondents and all persons designated as 46 potential presentment agency witnesses pursuant to paragraph (c) of this 47 subdivision, other than those witnesses who are experts. 48 (q) When it is known to the presentment agency, the existence of any 49 pending criminal action against all persons designated as potential 50 presentment agency witnesses pursuant to paragraph (c) of this subdivi- 51 sion. 52 (r) The approximate date, time and place of the offense or offenses 53 charged and of the respondent's seizure and arrest. 54 (s) In any juvenile delinquency proceeding alleging a violation of the 55 vehicle and traffic law, all records of calibration, certification, 56 inspection, repair or maintenance of machines and instruments utilized
A. 68 7 1 to perform any scientific tests and experiments, including but not 2 limited to any test of a person's breath, blood, urine or saliva, for 3 the period of six months prior and six months after such test was 4 conducted, including the records of gas chromatography related to the 5 certification of all reference standards and the certification certif- 6 icate, if any, held by the operator of the machine or instrument. 7 (t) Any presentment agency alleging a violation of section 156.05 or 8 156.10 of the penal law, the time, place and manner such violation 9 occurred. 10 (u) (i) A copy of all electronically created or stored information 11 seized or obtained by or on behalf of law enforcement from: (A) the 12 respondent as described in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph; or (B) a 13 source other than the respondent which relates to the subject matter of 14 the proceeding. 15 (ii) If the electronically created or stored information originates 16 from a device, account, or other electronically stored source that the 17 presentment agency believes the respondent owned, maintained, or had 18 lawful access to and is within the possession, custody or control of the 19 presentment agency or persons under the presentment agency's direction 20 or control, the presentment agency shall provide a complete copy of the 21 electronically created or stored information from the device or account 22 or other source, and a designation by the presentment agency as to which 23 portions it intends to introduce. 24 (iii) If possession of such electronically created or stored informa- 25 tion would be a crime if committed by an adult under New York state or 26 federal law, the presentment agency shall make those portions of the 27 electronically created or stored information that are not criminal to 28 possess available as specified under this paragraph and shall afford 29 counsel for the respondent access to inspect contraband portions at a 30 supervised location that provides regular and reasonable hours for such 31 access, such as a presentment agency's office, police station, or court. 32 (iv) This paragraph shall not be construed to alter or in any way 33 affect the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures or 34 such other rights a suspect or respondent may derive from the state 35 constitution or the United States constitution. If in the exercise of 36 reasonable diligence the information under this paragraph is not avail- 37 able for disclosure within the time period required by subdivision one 38 of section 331.2 of this part, that period shall be stayed without need 39 for a motion pursuant to subdivision two of section 331.11 of this part, 40 except that the presentment agency shall notify the respondent in writ- 41 ing that such information has not been disclosed, and such disclosure 42 shall be made as soon as practicable and not later than fifteen calendar 43 days prior to the first scheduled fact-finding hearing date or, if the 44 respondent is in detention, such disclosure shall be made no later than 45 three days prior to the first scheduled fact-finding hearing date, 46 unless an order is obtained pursuant to section 331.11 of this part. 47 2. Duties of the presentment agency. The presentment agency shall make 48 a diligent, good faith effort to ascertain the existence of material or 49 information discoverable under subdivision one of this section and to 50 cause such material or information to be made available for discovery 51 where it exists but is not within the presentment agency's possession, 52 custody or control; provided that the presentment agency shall not be 53 required to obtain by subpoena duces tecum material or information which 54 the respondent may thereby obtain. For purposes of subdivision one of 55 this section, all items and information related to the presentment agen- 56 cy of a charge in the possession of any New York state or local police
A. 68 8 1 or law enforcement agency, and any information in the possession of a 2 laboratory having contact with evidence related to the presentment agen- 3 cy of a charge, shall be deemed to be in the possession of the present- 4 ment agency. This subdivision shall not require the presentment agency 5 to ascertain the existence of witnesses not known to the police or 6 another law enforcement agency, or the written or recorded statements 7 thereof, under paragraph (c) or (e) of subdivision one of this section. 8 3. Supplemental discovery for the respondent. The presentment agency 9 shall disclose to the respondent a list of all misconduct and acts of 10 juvenile delinquency of the respondent not charged in the petition, 11 which the presentment agency intends to use at fact-finding hearing for 12 purposes of (a) impeaching the credibility of the respondent, or (b) as 13 substantive proof of any material issue in the proceeding. In addition, 14 the presentment agency shall designate whether it intends to use each 15 listed act for impeachment and/or as substantive proof. 16 4. Reciprocal discovery for the presentment agency. (a) The respondent 17 shall, subject to constitutional limitations, disclose to the present- 18 ment agency, and permit the presentment agency to discover, inspect, 19 copy or photograph, any material and relevant evidence within the 20 respondent's or counsel for the respondent's possession or control that 21 is discoverable under paragraphs (f), (g), (h), (j), (l) and (o) of 22 subdivision one of this section, which the respondent intends to intro- 23 duce at fact-finding or a pre-trial motion hearing, and the names, 24 addresses, birth dates, and all statements, written or recorded or 25 summarized in any writing or recording, of those persons other than the 26 respondent whom the respondent intends to call as witnesses at fact- 27 finding hearing or at a pre-trial motion hearing. 28 (b) Disclosure of the name, address, birth date, and all statements, 29 written or recorded or summarized in any writing or recording, of a 30 person whom the respondent intends to call as a witness for the sole 31 purpose of impeaching a presentment agency witness is not required until 32 after the presentment agency witness has testified at fact-finding hear- 33 ing. 34 (c) If in the exercise of reasonable diligence the reciprocally 35 discoverable information under paragraph (f) or (o) of subdivision one 36 of this section is unavailable for disclosure within the time period 37 specified in subdivision two of section 331.2 of this part, such time 38 period shall be stayed without need for a motion pursuant to subdivision 39 two of section 331.11 of this part; but the disclosure shall be made as 40 soon as practicable, provided, however, that if the respondent is in 41 detention, such disclosure shall be made no later than three days prior 42 to the first scheduled fact-finding hearing date. All reciprocally 43 discoverable information under this subdivision is subject to the 44 continuing duty to disclose pursuant to section 331.9 of this part. 45 5. Stay of automatic discovery; remedies and sanctions. Sections 46 331.1 and 331.2 of this part and subdivisions one, two, three and four 47 of this section shall have the force and effect of a court order, and 48 failure to provide discovery pursuant to such section or subdivision may 49 result in application of any remedies or sanctions permitted for non- 50 compliance with a court order under section 331.12 of this part. Howev- 51 er, if in the judgment of either party, good cause exists for declining 52 to make any of the disclosures set forth above, such party may move for 53 a protective order pursuant to section 331.11 of this part and 54 production of the item shall be stayed pending a ruling by the court. 55 The opposing party shall be notified in writing that information has not 56 been disclosed under a particular section. When some parts of material
A. 68 9 1 or information are discoverable but in the judgment of a party good 2 cause exists for declining to disclose other parts, the discoverable 3 parts shall be disclosed and the disclosing party shall give notice in 4 writing that non-discoverable parts have been withheld. 5 6. Redactions permitted. Either party may redact social security 6 numbers and tax numbers from disclosures under this part. 7 7. Presumption of openness. There shall be a presumption in favor of 8 disclosure when interpreting sections 331.1, 331.2 and 331.4 of this 9 part and subdivision one of this section. 10 § 331.4. Disclosure prior to an admission by the respondent; waiver of 11 discovery by respondent. 1. Disclosure of crime. Where the presentment 12 agency has made an offer to accept an admission pursuant to section 13 321.3 of this article to an act that, if committed by an adult, would be 14 a crime, the presentment agency shall disclose to the respondent, and 15 permit the respondent to discover, inspect, copy, photograph and test, 16 all items and information that would be discoverable prior to the fact- 17 finding hearing under subdivision one of section 331.3 of this part and 18 are in the possession, custody or control of the presentment agency. The 19 presentment agency shall disclose the discoverable items and information 20 not less than three calendar days prior to the expiration date of the 21 offer by the presentment agency for the respondent to make an admission 22 or any deadline imposed by the court for acceptance of the offer of an 23 admission. 24 2. Timing of disclosure. If the presentment agency does not comply 25 with the requirements of this subdivision, then, notwithstanding any 26 other provision of law, such offer shall be deemed available to the 27 respondent until three calendar days after the presentment agency has 28 complied, absent extraordinary circumstances involving new adverse 29 information bearing on the respondent occurring or discovered in the 30 interim that, after appropriate notice and an opportunity for a hearing, 31 are shown by the presentment agency and found by the court. Where the 32 offer of an admission has lapsed or been withdrawn in light of non-com- 33 pliance by the presentment agency with this subdivision, the respondent 34 may make a motion alleging such non-compliance and the court shall 35 consider the impact of any non-compliance on the respondent's decision 36 to accept or reject the offer of an admission. If the court finds that 37 the non-compliance materially affected the respondent's decision and if 38 the presentment agency declines to reinstate the lapsed or withdrawn 39 plea offer, the court, as a presumptive minimum sanction, shall preclude 40 the admission at trial of any evidence not disclosed as required under 41 this subdivision. The court may take other additional appropriate 42 action as necessary to address the non-compliance. 43 3. Exception. The rights under this subdivision do not apply to items 44 or information that are the subject of a protective order under section 45 331.11 of this part; but if such information tends to be exculpatory, 46 the court shall reconsider the protective order. 47 4. Waiver. A respondent may provide a voluntary, knowing and intelli- 48 gent waiver in the presence of the respondent's counsel of the respond- 49 ent's rights under this section; but an offer of an admission may not be 50 conditioned on such waiver. 51 § 331.5. Court orders for preservation, access or discovery. 1. Order 52 to preserve evidence. At any time, a party may move for a court order to 53 any individual, agency or other entity in possession, custody or control 54 of items which relate to the subject matter of the case or are otherwise 55 relevant, requiring that such items be preserved for a specified period 56 of time. The court shall hear and rule upon such motions expeditiously.
A. 68 10 1 The court may modify or vacate such an order upon a showing that preser- 2 vation of particular evidence will create significant hardship to such 3 individual, agency or entity, on condition that the probative value of 4 that evidence is preserved by a specified alternative means. 5 2. Order to grant access to premises. At any time, the respondent may 6 move for a court order to any individual, agency or other entity in 7 possession, custody or control of a crime scene or other premises that 8 relates to the subject matter of the case or is otherwise relevant, 9 requiring that counsel for the respondent be granted prompt and reason- 10 able access to inspect, photograph or measure such crime scene or prem- 11 ises, and that the condition of the crime scene or premises remain 12 unchanged in the interim. The court shall consider the respondent's 13 expressed need for access to the premises including the risk that the 14 respondent will be deprived of evidence or information relevant to the 15 case, the position of any individual or entity with possessory or owner- 16 ship rights to the premises, the nature of the privacy interest and any 17 perceived or actual hardship of the individual or entity with possessory 18 or ownership rights, and the position of the presentment agency with 19 respect to any application for access to the premises. The court may 20 deny access to the premises when the probative value of access to such 21 location has been or will be preserved by specified alternative means. 22 If the court grants access to the premises, the individual or entity 23 with ownership or possessory rights to the premises may request law 24 enforcement presence at the premises while the respondent's counsel or a 25 representative thereof is present. 26 3. Discretionary discovery by order of the court. The court in its 27 discretion may, upon a showing by the respondent that the request is 28 reasonable and that the respondent is unable without undue hardship to 29 obtain the substantial equivalent by other means, order the presentment 30 agency, or any individual, agency or other entity subject to the juris- 31 diction of the court, to make available for disclosure to the respondent 32 any material or information which potentially relates to the subject 33 matter of the case and is reasonably likely to be material. 34 4. Procedure. A motion under this section shall be on notice to any 35 individual, agency or entity affected by the order. A motion may be made 36 orally on the record so long as such notice is provided. The court may, 37 on its own or upon request of any individual, agency or entity affected 38 by the order, modify or vacate the order if compliance would be unrea- 39 sonable or will create significant hardship to such individual, agency 40 or entity. For good cause shown, the court may permit a party seeking or 41 opposing a discretionary order of discovery under this subdivision, or 42 another affected individual, agency or entity, to submit papers or, for 43 good cause shown, testify on the record ex parte or in camera. For good 44 cause shown, any such papers and a transcript of such testimony may be 45 sealed and shall constitute a part of the record on appeal. 46 § 331.6. Court ordered procedures to facilitate compliance; certif- 47 icates of compliance. 1. Discretion of courts. To facilitate compliance 48 with this part, and to reduce or streamline litigation of any disputes 49 about discovery, the court in its discretion may issue an order: 50 (a) requiring that the presentment agency and counsel for the respond- 51 ent diligently confer to attempt to reach an accommodation as to any 52 dispute concerning discovery prior to seeking a ruling from the court; 53 (b) requiring a discovery compliance conference at a specified time 54 prior to the fact-finding hearing between the presentment agency, coun- 55 sel for all respondents, and the court or its staff;
A. 68 11 1 (c) requiring the presentment agency to file a certificate of compli- 2 ance that states that the presentment agency and/or an appropriate named 3 agent has made reasonable inquiries of all police officers and other 4 persons who have participated in investigating or evaluating the case 5 about the existence of any favorable evidence or information within 6 paragraph (k) of subdivision one of section 331.3 of this part, includ- 7 ing such evidence or information that was not reduced to writing or 8 otherwise memorialized or preserved as evidence, and has disclosed any 9 such information to the respondent; and/or 10 (d) requiring other measures or proceedings designed to carry into 11 effect the goals of this part. 12 2. Certificates of compliance. (a) When the presentment agency has 13 provided the discovery required by subdivision one of section 331.3 of 14 this part, except for any items or information that are the subject of 15 an order pursuant to section 331.11 of this part, it shall serve upon 16 the respondent and file with the court a certificate of compliance. The 17 certificate of compliance shall state that, after exercising due dili- 18 gence and making reasonable inquiries to ascertain the existence of 19 material and information subject to discovery, the presentment agency 20 has disclosed and made available all known material and information 21 subject to discovery. It shall also identify the items provided. If 22 additional discovery is subsequently provided prior to the fact-finding 23 hearing pursuant to section 331.9 of this part, a supplemental certif- 24 icate shall be served upon the respondent and filed with the court iden- 25 tifying the additional material and information provided. No adverse 26 consequence to the presentment agency or the prosecutor shall result 27 from the filing of a certificate of compliance in good faith; but the 28 court may grant a remedy or sanction for a discovery violation as 29 provided in section 331.12 of this part. 30 (b) When the respondent has provided all discovery required by subdi- 31 vision four of section 331.3 of this part, except for any items or 32 information that are the subject of an order pursuant to section 331.11 33 of this part, counsel for the respondent shall serve upon the present- 34 ment agency and file with the court a certificate of compliance. The 35 certificate shall state that, after exercising due diligence and making 36 reasonable inquiries to ascertain the existence of material and informa- 37 tion subject to discovery, counsel for the respondent has disclosed and 38 made available all known material and information subject to discovery. 39 It shall also identify the items provided. If additional discovery is 40 subsequently provided prior to trial pursuant to section 331.9 of this 41 part, a supplemental certificate shall be served upon the presentment 42 agency and filed with the court identifying the additional material and 43 information provided. No adverse consequence to the respondent or coun- 44 sel for the respondent shall result from the filing of a certificate of 45 compliance in good faith; but the court may grant a remedy or sanction 46 for a discovery violation as provided in section 331.12 of this part. 47 § 331.7. Non-testimonial evidence from the respondent; DNA comparison 48 order. 1. Availability. After the filing of the petition, and subject 49 to constitutional limitations, the court may, upon motion of the 50 presentment agency showing probable cause to believe the respondent has 51 committed the act that if committed by an adult would constitute a 52 crime, a clear indication that relevant material evidence will be found, 53 and that the method used to secure such evidence is safe and reliable, 54 require a respondent to provide non-testimonial evidence, including to: 55 (a) appear in a lineup; 56 (b) speak for identification by a witness or potential witness;
A. 68 12 1 (c) be fingerprinted if authorized in accordance with section 306.1 of 2 this article; 3 (d) pose for photographs not involving reenactment of an event, 4 provided respondent is subject to photographing pursuant to section 5 306.1 of this article; 6 (e) permit the taking of samples of the respondent's blood, hair, and 7 other materials of the respondent's body that involves no unreasonable 8 intrusion thereof or a risk of serious physical injury thereto; 9 (f) provide specimens of the respondent's handwriting; and 10 (g) submit to a reasonable physical or medical inspection of the 11 respondent's body. 12 2. Limitations. This section shall not be construed to alter or in any 13 way affect the issuance of a similar court order, as may be authorized 14 by law, before the filing of the petition, consistent with such rights 15 as the respondent may derive from this article, the state constitution 16 or the United States constitution. This section shall not be construed 17 to alter or in any way affect the administration of a chemical test 18 where otherwise authorized. An order pursuant to this section may be 19 denied, limited or conditioned as provided in section 331.11 of this 20 part. 21 3. DNA comparison order. Where property in the presentment agency's 22 possession, custody, or control consists of a DNA profile obtained from 23 probative biological material gathered in connection with the investi- 24 gation of the crime, and the respondent establishes: (a) that such 25 profile complies with federal bureau of investigation or state require- 26 ments, whichever are applicable and as such requirements are applied to 27 law enforcement agencies seeking a keyboard search or similar compar- 28 ison, and (b) that the data meets state DNA index system or national DNA 29 index system criteria as such criteria are applied to law enforcement 30 agencies seeking such a keyboard search or similar comparison, the court 31 may, upon motion of a respondent against whom a petition is pending, 32 order an entity that has access to the combined DNA index system or its 33 successor system to compare such DNA profile against DNA databanks by 34 keyboard searches, or a similar method that does not involve uploading, 35 upon notice to both parties and the entity required to perform the 36 search, upon a showing by the respondent that such a comparison is mate- 37 rial to the presentation of the respondent's defense and that the 38 request is reasonable. For purposes of this section, a "keyboard search" 39 shall mean a search of a DNA profile against the databank in which the 40 profile that is searched is not uploaded to or maintained in the data- 41 bank. Nothing in this section authorizes the taking of a DNA profile 42 from the respondent, whether taken from their person or otherwise, 43 unless specifically authorized by law. 44 § 331.8. Flow of information. 1. Sufficient communication for compli- 45 ance. The presentment agency shall endeavor to ensure that a flow of 46 information is maintained with the police and other investigative 47 personnel and sufficient to place within the presentment agency's 48 possession or control all material and information pertinent to the 49 respondent and the offense or offenses charged, including, but not 50 limited to, any evidence or information discoverable under paragraph (k) 51 of subdivision one of section 331.3 of this part. 52 2. Provision of law enforcement agency files. Absent a court order or 53 a requirement that the respondent's counsel obtain a security clearance 54 mandated by law or authorized government regulation, upon request by the 55 presentment agency, each New York state and local law enforcement agency 56 shall make available to the presentment agency a complete copy of its
A. 68 13 1 complete records and files related to the investigation of the case or 2 related to the presentment agency regarding compliance with this part. 3 3. 911 telephone call and police radio transmission electronic 4 recordings, police-worn body camera recordings and other police 5 recordings. (a) Whenever an electronic recording of a 911 telephone call 6 or a police radio transmission or video or audio footage from a police- 7 worn body camera or other police recording was made or received in 8 connection with the investigation of an apparent criminal incident, the 9 arresting officer or lead detective shall expeditiously notify the 10 presentment agency in writing upon the filing of the petition of the 11 existence of all such known recordings. The presentment agency shall 12 expeditiously take whatever reasonable steps are necessary to ensure 13 that all known electronic recordings of 911 telephone calls, police 14 radio transmissions and video and audio footage and other police 15 recordings made or available in connection with the case are preserved. 16 Upon the respondent's timely request and designation of a specific elec- 17 tronic recording of a 911 telephone call, the presentment agency shall 18 also expeditiously take whatever reasonable steps are necessary to 19 ensure that it is preserved. 20 (b) If the presentment agency fails to disclose such an electronic 21 recording to the respondent pursuant to paragraph (e), (g) or (k) of 22 subdivision one of section 331.3 of this part due to a failure to comply 23 with this obligation by police officers or other law enforcement or 24 prosecution personnel, the court upon motion of the respondent shall 25 impose an appropriate remedy or sanction pursuant to section 331.12 of 26 this part. 27 § 331.9. Continuing duty to disclose. If either the presentment agency 28 or the respondent subsequently learns of additional material or informa- 29 tion which it would have been under a duty to disclose pursuant to any 30 provisions of this part had it known of it at the time of a previous 31 discovery obligation or discovery order, it shall expeditiously notify 32 the other party and disclose the additional material and information as 33 required for automatic discovery under this part. This section also 34 requires expeditious disclosure by the presentment agency of material or 35 information that became relevant to the case or discoverable based on 36 reciprocal discovery received from the respondent pursuant to subdivi- 37 sion four of section 331.3 of this part. 38 § 331.10. Work product. This part does not authorize discovery by a 39 party of those portions of records, reports, correspondence, memoranda, 40 or internal documents of the adverse party which are only the legal 41 research, opinions, theories or conclusions of the adverse party or its 42 attorney or the attorney's agents, or of statements of a respondent, 43 written or recorded or summarized in any writing or recording, made to 44 the attorney for the respondent or the attorney's agents. 45 § 331.11. Protective orders. 1. Any discovery subject to protective 46 order. Upon a showing of good cause by either party, the court may at 47 any time order that discovery or inspection of any kind of material or 48 information under this part be denied, restricted, conditioned or 49 deferred, or make such other order as is appropriate. The court may 50 impose as a condition on discovery to a respondent that the material or 51 information to be discovered be available only to counsel for the 52 respondent; or, alternatively, that counsel for the respondent, and 53 persons employed by the attorney or appointed by the court to assist in 54 the preparation of a respondent's case, may not disclose physical copies 55 of the discoverable documents to a respondent or to anyone else, 56 provided that the presentment agency affords the respondent access to
A. 68 14 1 inspect redacted copies of the discoverable documents at a supervised 2 location that provides regular and reasonable hours for such access, 3 such as a presentment agency's office, police station, facility of 4 detention, or court. Should the court impose as a condition that some 5 material or information be available only to counsel for the respondent, 6 the court shall inform the respondent on the record that the respond- 7 ent's attorney is not permitted by law to disclose such material or 8 information to the respondent. The court may permit a party seeking or 9 opposing a protective order under this section, or another affected 10 person, to submit papers or testify on the record ex parte or in camera. 11 Any such papers and a transcript of such testimony may be sealed and 12 shall constitute a part of the record on appeal. This section does not 13 alter the allocation of the burden of proof with regard to matters at 14 issue, including privilege. 15 2. Modification of time periods for discovery. Upon motion of a party 16 in an individual case, the court may alter the time periods for discov- 17 ery imposed by this part upon a showing of good cause. 18 3. Prompt hearing. Upon request for a protective order, the court 19 shall conduct an appropriate hearing within three business days to 20 determine whether good cause has been shown and when practicable shall 21 render decision expeditiously. Any materials submitted and a transcript 22 of the proceeding may be sealed and shall constitute a part of the 23 record on appeal. 24 4. Showing of good cause. In determining good cause under this section 25 the court may consider: constitutional rights or limitations; danger to 26 the integrity of physical evidence or the safety of a witness; risk of 27 intimidation, economic reprisal, bribery, harassment or unjustified 28 annoyance or embarrassment to any person, and the nature, severity and 29 likelihood of that risk; a risk of an adverse effect upon the legitimate 30 needs of law enforcement, including the protection of the confidentiali- 31 ty of informants, and the nature, severity and likelihood of that risk; 32 the nature and circumstances of the factual allegations in the case; 33 whether the respondent has a history of witness intimidation or tamper- 34 ing and the nature of that history; the nature of the stated reasons in 35 support of a protective order; the nature of the witness identifying 36 information that is sought to be addressed by a protective order, 37 including the option of employing adequate alternative contact informa- 38 tion; danger to any person stemming from factors such as a respondent's 39 substantiated affiliation with a criminal enterprise as defined in 40 subdivision three of section 460.10 of the penal law; and other similar 41 factors found to outweigh the usefulness of the discovery. 42 5. Successor counsel. In cases in which the attorney-client relation- 43 ship is terminated prior to trial for any reason, any material or infor- 44 mation disclosed subject to a condition that it be available only to 45 counsel for the respondent, or limited in dissemination by protective 46 order or otherwise, shall be provided only to successor counsel for the 47 respondent under the same condition or conditions or be returned to the 48 presentment agency, unless the court rules otherwise for good cause 49 shown or the presentment agency gives written consent. Any work product 50 derived from such material or information shall not be provided to the 51 respondent, unless the court rules otherwise or the presentment agency 52 gives written consent; provided, however, any such work product may be 53 provided to the successor counsel. 54 6. Compliance with protective order. Any protective order issued under 55 this part is a mandate of the court for purposes of the offense of crim- 56 inal contempt in subdivision three of section 215.50 of the penal law.
A. 68 15 1 § 331.12. Remedies or sanctions for non-compliance. 1. Need for remedy 2 or sanction. (a) When material or information is discoverable under this 3 part but is disclosed belatedly, the court shall impose an appropriate 4 remedy or sanction if the party entitled to disclosure shows that it was 5 prejudiced. Regardless of a showing of prejudice the party entitled to 6 disclosure shall be given reasonable time to prepare and respond to the 7 new material. 8 (b) When material or information is discoverable under this part but 9 cannot be disclosed because it has been lost or destroyed, the court 10 shall impose an appropriate remedy or sanction if the party entitled to 11 disclosure shows that the lost or destroyed material may have contained 12 some information relevant to a contested issue. The appropriate remedy 13 or sanction is that which is proportionate to the potential ways in 14 which the lost or destroyed material reasonably could have been helpful 15 to the party entitled to disclosure. 16 2. Available remedies or sanctions. For failure to comply with any 17 discovery order imposed or issued pursuant to this part, the court may 18 make a further order for discovery, grant a continuance, order that a 19 hearing be reopened, order that a witness be called or recalled, draw an 20 adverse inference regarding the non-compliance, preclude or strike a 21 witness's testimony or a portion of a witness's testimony, admit or 22 exclude evidence, order a mistrial, order the dismissal of all or some 23 of the charges, or make such other order as it deems just under the 24 circumstances; except that any sanction against the respondent shall 25 comport with the respondent's constitutional right to present a defense, 26 and precluding a witness from testifying on behalf of the respondent 27 shall be permissible only upon a finding that the respondent's failure 28 to comply with the discovery obligation or order was willful and moti- 29 vated by a desire to obtain a tactical advantage. 30 3. Consequences of non-disclosure of statement of witness testifying 31 for the presentment agency. The failure of the presentment agency to 32 disclose any written or recorded statement made by a witness testifying 33 on the agency's behalf, which relates to the subject matter of the 34 witness's testimony, shall not constitute grounds for any court to order 35 a new pre-trial hearing or set aside an adjudication, or reverse, modify 36 or vacate an adjudication, in the absence of a showing by the respondent 37 that there is a reasonable possibility that the non-disclosure mate- 38 rially contributed to the result of the trial or other proceeding; 39 provided, however, that nothing in this section shall affect or limit 40 any right the respondent may have to a reopened pre-trial hearing when 41 such statements were disclosed before the close of evidence at the fact- 42 finding hearing. 43 § 331.13. Admissibility of discovery. The fact that a party has indi- 44 cated during the discovery process an intention to offer specified 45 evidence or to call a specified witness is not admissible in evidence or 46 grounds for adverse comment at a pre-trial or fact-finding hearing. 47 § 3. Subdivision 2 of section 325 of the judiciary law, as added by 48 chapter 920 of the laws of 1982, is amended to read as follows: 49 2. Where an application follows a demand to produce any transcript of 50 testimony at a grand jury proceeding pursuant to paragraph (b) of subdi- 51 vision [two] one of section [331.2 or paragraph (a) of subdivision one 52 of section 331.4] 331.3 of the family court act the presentment agency 53 and respondent shall be given notice of such application and an opportu- 54 nity to be heard. 55 § 4. Subdivision 5 of section 330.1 of the family court act, as added 56 by chapter 398 of the laws of 1983, is amended to read as follows:
A. 68 16 1 5. Court ordered bill of particulars. Where a presentment agency has 2 timely served a written refusal pursuant to subdivision four of this 3 section and upon motion, made in writing, of a respondent, who has made 4 a request for a bill of particulars and whose request has not been 5 complied with in whole or in part, the court must, to the extent a 6 protective order is not warranted, order the presentment agency to 7 comply with the request if it is satisfied that the items of factual 8 information requested are authorized to be included in a bill of partic- 9 ulars, and that such information is necessary to enable the respondent 10 adequately to prepare or conduct [his] the respondent's defense and, if 11 the request was untimely, a finding of good cause for the delay. Where a 12 presentment agency has not timely served a written refusal pursuant to 13 subdivision four of this section the court must, unless it is satisfied 14 that the presentment agency has shown good cause why such an order 15 should not be issued, issue an order requiring the presentment agency to 16 comply or providing for any other order authorized by subdivision one of 17 section [331.6] 331.12 of this part. 18 § 5. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.