Bill > S00336

This bill modifies New York's criminal procedure law to establish a new framework for disclosing grand jury materials under specific circumstances. When a grand jury dismisses all charges or directs the district attorney to file lesser charges in a local criminal court, interested parties can now apply to the superior court to obtain certain grand jury proceeding documents. These materials may include the criminal charges submitted, legal instructions given to the grand jury, testimony from public servants and expert witnesses, and redacted testimony from other witnesses to protect their identities. The court must evaluate three key factors before ordering disclosure: whether the public is already aware of the criminal investigation, whether the public knows the subject's identity, and whether there is significant public interest. However, the court can limit or deny disclosure if there is a reasonable likelihood that revealing information could compromise witness anonymity, endanger grand jurors or witnesses, jeopardize ongoing investigations, or threaten public safety. The bill also ensures that denied applicants have a right to appeal and clarifies that this new provision does not restrict existing legal avenues for accessing grand jury materials. Additionally, the bill makes minor technical changes to language regarding interpreters in grand jury proceedings, using gender-neutral terminology.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S336