S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
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2317
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 15, 2009
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Introduced by M. of A. JEFFRIES -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the surrogate's court procedure act, in relation to
restricting certain access to records kept by the court
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivision 8 of section 2501 of the surrogate's court
procedure act is amended to read as follows:
8. All books and records other than those sealed are open to
inspection of any person at reasonable times PROVIDED, HOWEVER, ACCESS
TO SUCH BOOKS AND RECORDS IS NOT FOR A BUSINESS OR COMMERCIAL PURPOSE. A
BUSINESS OR COMMERCIAL PURPOSE SHALL NOT INCLUDE A DEBTOR OF AN ESTATE
SEEKING ACCESS TO RECORDS OF SUCH ESTATE OR AN ATTORNEY SEEKING ACCESS
TO BOOKS AND RECORDS ON BEHALF OF AN INTERESTED PARTY, ESTATE OR BENEFI-
CIARY.
ANY PERSON SEEKING TO INSPECT ANY BOOKS OR RECORDS, OTHER THAN THOSE
SEALED, SHALL COMPLETE A FORM WHICH SHALL BE PROVIDED BY THE COURT. SUCH
FORM SHALL REQUIRE SUCH PERSON SEEKING ACCESS TO ANY SUCH BOOKS AND
RECORDS TO DISCLOSE SUCH PERSON'S NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND
PURPOSE OF SUCH INSPECTION. SUCH PERSON SHALL BE REQUIRED TO AGREE,
UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY, ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM SUCH BOOKS AND
RECORDS SHALL NOT BE USED FOR BUSINESS OR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, EXCEPT AS
PROVIDED IN THIS SUBDIVISION, AND SUCH PERSON OR AN AGENT OF SUCH PERSON
SHALL NOT CONTACT ANY MEMBER OF A DECEDENT'S FAMILY OR ANY BENEFICIARIES
OF A DECEDENT, EXCEPT FOR CLAIMS AND ENTITLEMENTS DIRECTLY RELATED TO
SUCH DECEDENT'S ESTATE. COMPLETED FORMS SHALL BE RETAINED BY THE COURT.
S 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become a law; provided however,
effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any
rules or regulations and the production of forms necessary for the
implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and
directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.