What's happening
This bill allows a social worker or informal caregiver to provide emotional support to vulnerable elderly witnesses testifying in grand jury proceedings.
Why it matters
Expands emotional support access to vulnerable elderly witnesses. , making it easier for them to participate in the criminal justice process without fear or intimidation, especially if they are testifying about traumatic or sensitive experiences.
Recognizes the unique needs of elderly individuals. particularly those who are frail, cognitively impaired, or otherwise at risk—by allowing either a professional social worker or an informal caregiver (such as a family member) to accompany them during grand jury proceedings.
Applies to any type of criminal offense. involving a vulnerable elderly person, not just specific crimes, potentially increasing the likelihood that elder abuse and related offenses are reported and prosecuted by reducing barriers to testimony.
Imposes strict confidentiality requirements. on support persons, aiming to protect the integrity of the grand jury process while balancing the emotional and psychological needs of vulnerable witnesses.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Support for Elderly Witnesses
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
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.
Support for Elderly Witnesses
In Senate Committee · Codes · Sponsor Nathalia Fernandez
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
621
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to permitting support to a vulnerable elderly person testifying in grand jury proceedings
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (h) of subdivision 3 of section 190.25 of the criminal procedure law, as amended by chapter 347 of the laws of 2014, is amended and a new paragraph (i) is added to read as follows:
(h) A social worker, rape crisis counselor, psychologist or other professional providing emotional support to a child witness twelve years old or younger[, or a social worker or informal caregiver, as provided in subdivision two of section two hundred six of the elder law, for a vulnerable elderly person as provided in subdivision three of section 260.31 of the penal law,] who is called to give evidence in a grand jury proceeding concerning a crime defined in article one hundred twenty-one, article one hundred thirty, article two hundred sixty, section 120.10, 125.10, 125.15, 125.20, 125.25, 125.26, 125.27, 255.25, 255.26 or 255.27 of the penal law provided that the district attorney consents. Such support person shall not provide the witness with an answer to any question or otherwise participate in such proceeding and shall first take an oath before the grand jury that [he or she] such support person will keep secret all matters before such grand jury within [his or her] such support person's knowledge.
(i) A social worker or informal caregiver, as defined in subdivision two of section two hundred six of the elder law, for a vulnerable elderly person as defined in subdivision three of section 260.31 of the penal law, as added by chapter three hundred eighty-one of the laws of nineteen hundred ninety-eight, who is called to give evidence in a grand
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02288-01-5
jury proceeding, concerning any type of offense, provided that the district attorney consents. Such support person shall not provide the witness with an answer to any question or otherwise participate in such proceeding and shall first take an oath before the grand jury that such support person will keep secret all matters before such grand jury within such support person's knowledge.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.