Bill > S08197

This bill amends the Family Court Act to expand legal representation rights in certain family court proceedings, particularly those involving child support violations, paternity, and parentage establishment. The bill ensures that all parties in proceedings to enforce child support orders or establish paternity have the right to counsel, including the right to appointed counsel if they are financially unable to obtain legal representation. For minors involved in such proceedings, the bill guarantees the right to an attorney for the child under existing provisions of the law. Specifically, the bill modifies language in several sections of the Family Court Act to broaden the scope of legal representation, replacing restrictive terms like "any person" or "the respondent" with more inclusive language such as "all parties." The modifications aim to ensure that individuals, especially those who are minors or financially disadvantaged, have access to legal representation in family court proceedings that could significantly impact their lives, such as child support enforcement or paternity establishment. The bill will take effect 90 days after becoming law, with some technical provisions related to the timing of amendments.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8197