Bill > A07661

This bill directs the chief administrator of the New York state courts to create and implement new rules for maintaining court records related to violent felony convictions. Specifically, the bill requires that all court records involving individuals convicted of violent felonies must be permanently preserved and cannot be destroyed or removed from court archives. The term "violent felonies" refers to serious criminal offenses that typically involve physical harm or threat of harm to another person, such as murder, rape, robbery, or aggravated assault. By mandating indefinite retention of these records, the bill ensures that a comprehensive historical record of violent criminal convictions will be maintained, which could potentially assist law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts in future investigations or legal proceedings. The new rule would apply to all existing and future court records pertaining to violent felony convictions, and it will go into effect thirty days after becoming law.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7661