Bill > A01154

This bill introduces several changes to family court proceedings and legal representation. First, it requires that transcripts of family court proceedings be provided to all parties within five days of a hearing. Second, it mandates that attorneys for children meet monthly with both parents or guardians and submit detailed reports about their meetings and communications, including a requirement to submit un-redacted invoices by the tenth of each month. The bill also increases the compensation for assigned counsel from $258 to $500 per hour, both for in-court and out-of-court time, and raises the maximum compensation limit from $10,000 to $20,000. Additionally, the bill introduces a significant procedural innovation by allowing parties in family court to request a jury trial for factual determinations, with the jury's role limited to fact-finding while legal conclusions remain the judge's responsibility. The jury selection will follow standard procedures, and the office of court administration will develop guidelines to implement this new right. Attorneys for children will also be subject to a complaint process established by the attorney general. The bill is set to take effect 180 days after becoming law.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1154