Bill > S00878

This bill amends procedures for the custodial interrogation of children and sixteen and seventeen-year-olds to provide additional legal protections. The key provisions include requiring law enforcement officers to make reasonable efforts to notify parents or legal guardians before transporting a child to a police station, and mandating that any questioning of a juvenile must occur only after specific conditions are met. These conditions include advising the child of their rights (right to remain silent, right to an attorney, potential use of statements in court) and, critically, requiring the child to consult with legal counsel in person, by phone, or via video conference before any questioning - a consultation that cannot be waived. The bill also requires that interrogations of juveniles be video recorded to ensure transparency and protect the child's rights. If these procedural requirements are not followed, any statements made by the juvenile would be suppressed and not admissible in court. The changes apply to various sections of New York's family court act and criminal procedure law, aiming to provide more robust protections for young people during interactions with law enforcement. The act is set to take effect on April 1, 2026.

Education, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S878