Bill > A02551

This bill amends the Uniform Justice Court Act by adding a new section that allows towns and villages to establish minimum educational requirements for their local justices. Specifically, the bill permits a town or village's governing body to vote to require that town or village justices be admitted to practice law in the state. This means that local government bodies can now choose to mandate that their justices have a law license, which was not previously a universal requirement. Any changes to justice eligibility requirements would take effect at the start of the next judicial term following the election after the local law is enacted. The bill provides flexibility for local governments to set higher professional standards for their judicial positions while ensuring a smooth transition by timing the requirement's implementation with the next election cycle. The new provisions will go into effect on the first day of January following the bill becoming law.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2551