Bill > S08196

This bill expands the eligibility criteria for judges who can preside over designated youth parts in New York state superior courts. Currently, only family court judges can preside over these specialized court parts, but the bill now allows superior court judges to also preside if they have been determined by the chief administrator of the courts to be qualified based on prior training and experience in juvenile and adolescent legal proceedings. The bill specifically mentions that qualifying experience can include handling juvenile delinquency cases in family court or adolescent or juvenile offender proceedings in superior courts. Judges assigned to these youth parts will continue to be required to receive specialized training in areas such as juvenile justice, adolescent development, youth custody and care, and effective methods for reducing unlawful youth conduct. The youth parts will maintain exclusive jurisdiction over juvenile and adolescent offender proceedings, with some exceptions. The legislation aims to broaden the pool of qualified judges who can handle cases involving young offenders while ensuring they have appropriate expertise and training.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8196