Bill > A07650

This bill amends the New York Judiciary Law to enhance the State Commission on Judicial Conduct's oversight and transparency regarding judicial misconduct investigations. Specifically, the bill makes several key changes: it mandates that formal written complaints and hearing records become public, removes previous confidentiality restrictions on complaint documents, and extends the commission's jurisdiction to investigate judges who resign or retire while under investigation. The bill allows judges under investigation to request copies of pending complaints and public documents, and ensures that the commission can continue proceedings even if a judge leaves office within 120 days of a formal complaint being served. Importantly, if the Court of Appeals determines a judge who has resigned or retired should be removed from office, that judge would become ineligible to hold any future judicial positions. These changes aim to increase accountability and transparency in the judicial discipline process by ensuring that misconduct investigations can proceed regardless of a judge's employment status and that more information about these investigations is made available to the public.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7650