What's happening
This bill allows petitioners, not just respondents, to have court-assigned counsel in certain family court custody proceedings.
Why it matters
Expanding assigned counsel to petitioners. means that people seeking custody—often parents seeking to protect their children or regain custody—can have a lawyer provided if they can't afford one, not just those defending against a custody petition.
Levels the legal playing field. in family court, where previously only respondents (those being brought to court) were guaranteed counsel, potentially reducing unfair disadvantages for lower-income petitioners.
May lead to better-informed and more equitable custody decisions. by ensuring both parties have legal guidance, which can improve the quality of information and arguments presented to the court.
Could impact court resources and case outcomes. , as more parties will be eligible for assigned counsel, possibly increasing demand for public defenders or assigned attorneys and affecting court timelines.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free Lawyers in Custody Cases
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
7 Co-sponsors
4 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
573
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. WALSH, MIKULIN, DeSTEFANO, BLANKENBUSH, MILLER, SMITH, DURSO, GALLAHAN -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ANGELINO, MANKTELOW, MORINELLO, TAGUE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the family court act, in relation to allowing the petitioner to have counsel assigned by the court in certain custody proceedings
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (iii) of subdivision (a) of section 262 of the family court act, as amended by chapter 666 of the laws of 1976, is amended to read as follows:
(iii) the petitioner and the respondent in any proceeding under part three of article six of this act;
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02787-01-5
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.