What's happening
This bill requires New York City civil court documents to be provided in the six most common non-English languages for parties not fluent in English.
Why it matters
Reduces barriers for non-English speakers. By requiring key court documents—including orders and stipulations—to be provided in the six most common non-English languages in NYC, the bill helps ensure that parties fully understand their legal obligations and rights, reducing the risk of misunderstandings or unintentional noncompliance.
Improves accuracy and accountability. The bill mandates that the person translating the court document must provide both language versions to the court and certify under oath that the translation is accurate, which adds a layer of quality control and legal accountability to the translation process.
Strengthens due process protections. By requiring parties to demonstrate to the court that they comprehend the nature and effect of orders or stipulations, the bill aims to safeguard against situations where individuals agree to or are bound by legal actions they do not understand, thereby reinforcing fairness and due process in civil proceedings.
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Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Court Papers in Native Languages
In Senate Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Jamaal Bailey
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2153
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. JOYNER, GOTTFRIED, SIMON, COOK, PERRY, L. ROSEN- THAL, ORTIZ, BICHOTTE, BARRON, D'URSO, COLTON, JAFFEE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the New York city civil court act, in relation to requiring certain civil court documents to be provided to parties in their native language
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The New York city civil court act is amended by adding a new section 2105 to read as follows:
§ 2105. Languages in which certain court documents are to be furnished. (a) Court documents provided to parties including court orders and any other court documents which include stipulations directing action to be taken or forborne by either of such parties shall be provided to such parties in their native language, provided they are not fluent in English; and provided, further, that such native language is one of the six most prevalent languages, other than English, spoken in the city of New York.
(b) The person who drafts such a court document in the native language of a party, pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section, shall provide the court with a copy of the document in both English and in the native language, and shall certify under oath that the document in the native language accurately reflects the same document written in English.
(c) All parties shall demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the court, their comprehension of the nature and effect of each such court order or stipulation.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00175-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.