Bill > A03664

This bill, known as the "Family Notification and Protection Act," modifies existing criminal procedure laws to enhance parental notification when a youth is arrested. The bill expands the requirement for police officers to make reasonable efforts to notify parents or legal guardians when a youth who is still in high school is arrested. Specifically, the legislation requires police to immediately inform parents or guardians about the arrest and the detention location, with an important caveat: notification is not mandatory if doing so would endanger the youth's health or safety. The bill applies to youth who are still in high school and are arrested for certain non-violent offenses, including some class B, C, or D felonies. In cases where direct parental notification might be risky, the bill mandates that officers make every reasonable effort to contact an adult family member or an unrelated adult over the age of twenty-five. The changes aim to balance the need for parental awareness with the potential safety concerns of the arrested youth, ensuring that parents are informed about their child's legal situation while providing flexibility for exceptional circumstances. The act is set to take effect on the first of November following its passage into law.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A3664