Senate Judiciary committee reports 11 bills on courts, property and juror protections

The Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary on March 11 reported 11 bills out of committee, advancing measures that would change rules on inheritance following elder abuse, admissibility of evidence, family court service hours, real property covenants, enforcement of liens on stored goods, and protections for jurors from employment penalties.

The measures span criminal‑justice transparency, procedural civil rules and family‑court access and were moved by voice votes with several senators recorded as opposed or as “without recommendation” on individual bills. Most items drew little committee debate; a handful prompted brief remarks about scope or concern about committee recommendation.

Senate Print 1015 (sponsor: Senator Groot) — would amend the state powers and trusts law to prohibit a person convicted of an elder‑abuse crime from inheriting as a distributee from the elder's estate. Senator Cooney moved the bill; Senator Bailey seconded. The committee moved the bill and reported it to the floor. No recorded negative votes were announced on the transcript.

Senate Print 2695 (sponsor: Senator Coraline Siegel) — would amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules regarding admissibility of evidence of a victim's conduct, predisposition or manner of dress. Senator Mayer moved the bill; Senator Cooney seconded. The bill was reported to the floor; Senators Phillips and Colombo were recorded as “without recommendation.”

Senate Print 3170 (sponsor: Senator Felder) — would create the Family Court Adjusted Service Time Act (a time‑of‑service adjustment for Family Court proceedings) with a later repeal provision. Senator Mayor spoke in support, saying she hoped the effort could expand beyond her city to other high‑volume family courts and welcomed nighttime family court access. Senator Mayor moved the bill; Senator Cooney seconded. The bill was reported to the finance committee.

Senate Print 3178 (sponsor: Senator Sanders) — would amend the Real Property Law to require modification of restrictive covenants prior to the sale of real property. Senator Bailey moved the bill; Senators Mayer and Cooney seconded. The bill was reported to the floor; Senators Rhodes and O'Meara were recorded as “without recommendation.”

Senate Print 3413 (sponsor: Senator Jackson) — would amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules relating to judgments in favor of petitioners in Article 78 proceedings about disability pensions. Senator Cooney moved the bill; Senator Bailey seconded. The bill was reported to the floor with no recorded opposition on the transcript.

Senate Print 3690 (sponsor: Senator Sanders) — would amend the Lien Law to add specific notice requirements for enforcing liens on goods and self‑storage facilities. Senator Bailey moved the bill; Senator Cooney seconded. During the voice vote Senators Colombo and O'Meara were recorded as opposed; Senator Rhodes was recorded as “without recommendation.” The bill was reported to the floor.

Senate Print 3837 (sponsors: Senator Hoyle and Senator Siegel) — would add the "Sunshine in Litigation Act" provisions to the Civil Practice Law and Rules regarding protective orders. Senator Bailey moved the bill; Senator Cooney seconded. The bill was reported to the floor; Senator O'Meara was recorded as “without recommendation.”

Senate Print 3864 (sponsor: Senator Jay Norris) — would amend the Judiciary Law and the Criminal Procedure Law concerning publication of opinions rendered in criminal cases. Senator Cooney moved the bill; Senator Mayer seconded. The bill was reported to the finance committee; Senator Cuomo was recorded as “without recommendation.”

Senate Print 4419 (sponsor: Senator Megg) — would amend the Judiciary Law to require the Office of Court Administration to maintain a searchable public database with information regarding conviction proceedings. Senator Ryan moved the bill; Senator Cooney seconded. The bill was reported to the finance committee. Senators Rhodes and O'Meara were recorded as opposed.

Senate Print 4549 (sponsor: Senator Stupas) — would amend the General Obligations Law to require principals and beneficiaries to notify co‑trustees and co‑beneficiaries when signing a power of attorney. Senator Bailey moved the bill; Senators Cooney and Mayer seconded. The bill was reported to the floor; Senators O'Meara and Palumbo were recorded as “without recommendation.”

Senate Print 5559 (sponsor: Senator Orlando Nsegal) — would amend the Judiciary Law and the Labor Law to create additional remedies for unlawful discharge or discrimination based on a juror’s absence from employment for jury duty. Senator Sepulveda moved the bill; Senators Ryan and Mayor seconded. The bill was reported to the floor; Senators Rhodes and O'Meara were recorded as opposed, Senator Palumbo was recorded as “without recommendation.”

There were no roll‑call tallies provided in the committee transcript; motions were carried by voice vote and committee clerks or the chair then announced whether individual senators were opposed or without recommendation. The meeting concluded with the chair adjourning the committee after the listed items were disposed of.

The committee advanced items affecting court access, procedural rules and property transactions; several privacy and transparency measures were referred to the finance committee for further review.

There being no further business, the chair adjourned the March 11 meeting.