Bill > A02441

This bill comprehensively reforms the confidentiality and expungement of juvenile delinquency records in New York's family court system. The legislation establishes strict protocols for maintaining the privacy of juvenile records, including detailed categories of confidential documents such as legal files, law enforcement records, and personal social records. The bill mandates that these records cannot be released without a court order and requires a compelling justification, with careful consideration of the juvenile's privacy and potential risks. Additionally, the bill introduces automatic expungement provisions, requiring that juvenile records be automatically destroyed under specific circumstances, such as when a case is terminated in the respondent's favor or when the respondent turns 21. The legislation also prohibits individuals from being penalized for not disclosing expunged records and creates a civil damages mechanism for violations, with potential fines up to $1,000. Importantly, the bill applies to various types of juvenile justice proceedings, including those involving adolescent offenders, and aims to protect young people from long-term stigmatization by limiting the accessibility and persistence of their juvenile justice system records.

Education, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2441