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Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to judiciary
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 training requirements for attorneys appointed to represent a child in certain proceedings
Purpose
To ensure attorneys appointed to represent children are properly educated in juvenile delinquency matters.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends paragraphs 2 and 3 of subdivision (a) of section 249-b of the family court act, paragraph 2 as added and paragraph 3 as amended by chapter 476 of the laws of 2009, and adds a new paragraph 4 providing training programs for attorneys for children must include an overview of juvenile delinquency law and procedure, all attorneys for children must receive initial training for a period of six hours and ongoing training as prescribed by the court, and the court shall encourage public defender offices and agencies representing children to provide training on juvenile delinquency issues the state bar has approved for continuing legal education credit.
Section 2 provides this act shall take effect immediately.
Existing law
Training programs for attorneys representing children include domestic violence briefing, but an overview of juvenile delinquency law and procedure is not mandated. The law provides attorneys for children shall receive initial and ongoing training, but the six hour period is not included. Current law does not encourage public defender offices to provide training on juvenile delinquency issues for continuing legal education credit.
Justification
Attorneys rarely receive specialized training in how to provide representation to clients. Children are unlike any other clients attorneys represent, with highly sensitive needs and a unique set of rules governing their proceedings. This is especially the case when a child is accused of doing wrong. It is therefore important attorneys who represent children are sufficiently trained and stay up to date on juvenile delinquency law, procedure and issues.
Legislative history
New bill
Fiscal implications
Minimal
Local fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.