S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
987
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
(PREFILED)
January 5, 2011
___________
Introduced by M. of A. PHEFFER, ENGLEBRIGHT -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M.
of A. MAGEE, TOWNS -- read once and referred to the Committee on
Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the civil rights law, in relation to confidentiality of
victims' and witnesses' addresses and telephone numbers during a trial
or hearing related to a criminal prosecution
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The civil rights law is amended by adding a new section
50-f to read as follows:
S 50-F. CONFIDENTIALITY OF VICTIM AND WITNESS ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE
NUMBER DURING A TRIAL OR HEARING RELATED TO A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
DURING A TRIAL OR HEARING RELATED TO A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION, THE COURT
SHALL REQUIRE THAT THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER AND THE
PLACE OF BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF ANY VICTIM OF OR
WITNESS TO THE CRIME SHALL NOT BE DISCLOSED IN OPEN COURT, AND THAT SUCH
VICTIM OR WITNESS SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE RESIDENCE OR
PLACE OF BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER AND THE PLACE OF
BUSINESS NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF ANY VICTIM OR WITNESS TO
THE CRIME IN RESPONSE TO DEFENSE OR PROSECUTION QUESTIONING, UNLESS THE
COURT DETERMINES THAT THERE IS A CLEAR NEED FOR SUCH DISCLOSURE BECAUSE
THE INFORMATION IS NECESSARY AND RELEVANT TO THE FACTS OF THE CASE OR TO
THE CREDIBILITY OF THE WITNESS. THE BURDEN TO ESTABLISH THE NEED AND
RELEVANCE FOR DISCLOSURE SHALL BE ON THE DEFENSE OR THE PARTY SEEKING
DISCLOSURE.
S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00643-01-1