Bill > A03841

This bill introduces comprehensive legal protections for active and retired judges and prosecutors by prohibiting the disclosure of their home addresses and unpublished home telephone numbers. The bill amends three different areas of law (public officers law, penal law, and civil rights law) to create multiple layers of protection. Under this legislation, it would be illegal to knowingly disclose or publish the home addresses or unpublished home telephone numbers of judges, prosecutors, and their immediate family members, with different levels of legal consequences depending on the intent and circumstances. For a second-degree violation, which involves reckless disclosure, the offense would be a class A misdemeanor, while a first-degree violation, which involves intentional exposure to potential harassment or harm, would be a class E felony. The civil rights law amendment also allows judges and prosecutors to bring civil lawsuits against individuals or entities that disclose their private information, with potential damages starting at $1,000 per violation, punitive damages, and attorney's fees. The bill broadly defines "disclose" to include a wide range of communication methods, ensuring comprehensive coverage of potential privacy breaches, and is designed to protect judges and prosecutors from potential harassment or threats by preventing the public sharing of their personal contact information.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A3841