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S4709Senate2009-2010 Session

Authorizes family and supreme courts to issue orders of protection for the protection of witnesses

Sponsor Vincent L. LeibellSD-40Affects Health
Status
In Senate Committee
Children And Families
Impact
Pending
Passage
Pending

Bill progress

Step 2 of 7

In committee · Children And Families

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Who cares

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Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Vincent L. Leibell

Senator · Senate District 40

No co-sponsors yet.

History

  1. Referred to children and families
  2. Referred to children and families

Full text

The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.

Sponsor's memo

Title of bill

An act to amend the family court act, in relation to the issuance of orders of protection for the benefit of witnesses

Purpose

Authorizes family courts to issue orders of protection for the protection of witnesses.

Summary of provisions

Sections 1 through 7 of the bill amend the Family Court Act to add provisions to require a petitioner or respondent to stay away from any witness specifically designated by a family court.

Sections 8 and 9 of the bill amend the Domestic Relations Law to add provisions to require any party to stay away from any witness specifically designated by a family court.

Section 10 of the bill would establish an immediate effective date.

Justification

Witnesses called to testify in family court are not afforded any legal protection. Very often witnesses are reluctant to testify out of fear. Providing for a court order of protection for certain witnesses will facilitate their willingness to come forward and testify even when they feel their testimony may endanger their safety. While an order of protection cannot guarantee the safety of a witness, it can help.

Prior legislative history

2007: S.3646 - Passed Senate 2008: S.3646 - Referred to Social Services

Fiscal implications

None noted.

Effective date

This act would take effect immediately.

Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.