Bill > A06316

This bill amends the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules by codifying a legal exception to the hearsay rule for statements made by individuals who believe they are about to die. Specifically, the bill allows statements made by a person who is conscious of their impending death and believes they have no chance of recovery to be admissible as evidence in civil and criminal proceedings. To be considered valid, these statements must meet four key criteria: 1) the declarant must genuinely believe they are dying, 2) the statement must be voluntarily made without persuasion, 3) the statement cannot be in response to leading questions, and 4) the declarant must be of sound mind when making the declaration. This proposed legislation provides a clear legal framework for when such "dying declarations" can be used as evidence, which can be crucial in situations where the person making the statement is unable to testify in person due to their death. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6316