Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE |
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Aug 31, 2015 | signed chap.237 |
Aug 28, 2015 | delivered to governor |
Jun 18, 2015 | returned to assembly passed senate substituted for s5833 |
Jun 18, 2015 | substituted by a8083 ordered to third reading cal.1866 |
Jun 09, 2015 | reported and committed to rules |
Jun 05, 2015 | referred to judiciary |
senate Bill S5833
Signed By GovernorRelates to the use of electronic means for the commencement and filing of papers in certain actions and proceedings
Sponsored By
John J. Bonacic
(R, C, IP) 0 Senate District
Archive: Last Bill Status Via A8083 - Signed by Governor
- Introduced
- In Committee
- On Floor Calendar
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Delivered to Governor
- Signed by Governor
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Jun 18, 2015 - floor Vote
A8083621floor62Aye1Nay0Absent0Excused0Abstained-
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Floor Vote: Jun 18, 2015
aye (62)- Addabbo
- Amedore
- Avella
- Bonacic
- Boyle
- Breslin
- Carlucci
- Comrie
- Croci
- DeFrancisco
- Diaz
- Dilan
- Espaillat
- Farley
- Felder
- Flanagan
- Gallivan
- Gianaris
- Golden
- Griffo
- Hamilton
- Hannon
- Hassell-Thompson
- Hoylman-Sigal
- Kennedy
- Klein
- Krueger
- Lanza
- Larkin
- Latimer
- LaValle
- Libous
- Little
- Marcellino
- Marchione
- Martins
- Montgomery
- Murphy
- Nozzolio
- O'Mara
- Ortt
- Panepinto
- Parker
- Peralta
- Perkins
- Ranzenhofer
- Ritchie
- Rivera
- Robach
- Sampson
- Sanders
- Savino
- Serino
- Serrano
- Seward
- Skelos
- Squadron
- Stavisky
- Stewart-Cousins
- Valesky
- Venditto
- Young
nay (1)
Jun 18, 2015 - Rules committee Vote
S5833240committee24Aye0Nay1Aye with Reservations0Absent0Excused0Abstained -
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S5833 (ACTIVE) - Details
- See Assembly Version of this Bill:
- A8083
- Law Section:
- Judiciary Law
- Laws Affected:
- Amd §212, Judy L; add Art 21-A §§2110 - 2112, CPLR; add §11-b, Ct Claims Act; amd §10.40, add §460.90, CP L; amd §§214 & 1122, Fam Ct Act; add §2103-a, NYC Civ Ct Act; add §107, SCPA
S5833 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER:S5833 TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the judiciary law, the civil practice law and rules, the court of claims act, the criminal procedure law, the family court act, the New York city civil court act and the surrogate's court procedure act, in relation to use of electronic means for the commencement and filing of papers in certain actions and proceedings; and providing for the repeal of certain provisions upon expiration thereof This measure is being introduced at the request of the Chief Judge of the State and the Chief Administrative Judge. As far back as 1999, the State began to introduce pilot programs in the use of electronic means for the purpose of commencing certain categories of cases and filing court papers with judges and with adverse parties ("e-filing"). See L. 1999, c. 367. In the years since, those programs have been continued and progressively expanded - to apply to a broader spectrum of cases in additional courts. As has been well-documented in numerous analyses and reports prepared over the years to assess the effectiveness of e-filing in New York's State courts, the pilot programs have been very successful and greeted with great enthusiasm by both bench and bar. Authorization for use of several vital components of the State's e-filing programs -mandatory e-filing under certain circumstances in
civil cases and both consensual and mandatory e-filing in criminal courts and in Family Court - is due to expire on September 1, 2015. This measure would eliminate this sunset and make several other important changes in the e-filing programs. Specifically, this measure would: * Make permanent present authorization for the use of mandatory e-filing in Supreme Court civil parts. By all measures, e-filing in this State has been an enormous success. To date, there have been more than 820,000 cases e-filed in New York's courts By year's end, we project that this number will grow to exceed one million cases. More than 58,000 attorneys and others have become registered users of the State's electronic filing system (NYSCEF) None of this can come as a surprise. E-filing. - benefits all sectors of the bar, particularly solo and small-firm practitioners who lack the resources of large law firms and attorneys in rural counties who must travel long distances to reach a courthouse. - saves the bar the time and expense of serving other parties (i.e , the e-filing system serves other parties automatically and instantaneously, providing immediate access to the filed documents). - reduces costs and enhances efficiency for the bench, County Clerks and local governments. - is green, reducing the number of trips attorneys must make to the courthouse to file papers and the amount of paper required in litigation. - has proven immensely successful in Federal courts and in other state courts. To best capitalize upon these benefits, we believe it appropriate and necessary - after more than fifteen years of success with e-filing in New York - to put greater reliance upon mandatory e-filing. It has been our experience that, whether because of habit or simple inertia, consensual e-filing programs have trouble drawing participation. It is for this reason that, six years ago, the Legislature began to authorize mandatory e-filing programs. At this point, these programs, which are operative in many of the State's largest jurisdictions, are working well and ripe for expansion. * Vest the Chief Administrative Judge with authority, provided the local County Clerk agrees, to implement mandatory e-filing in a county and in most classes of cases{1}. Present law recites the 16 specific counties in which mandatory e-filing may be authorized As we have discovered, however, this arrangement is actually counterproductive to effective roll-out of e-filing, as counties do not become ready for e-filing in easily-predictable fashion. Some of the 16 statutory counties will not be ready for e-filing for years; other counties, not now in the statute, can be ready soon -- but must wait to be added by the Legislature. This has hobbled, in some measure, the State's efforts to gain experience with e-filing Giving the Chief Administrative Judge the authority to delineate where mandatory e-filing can go forward should counter this by adding essential flexibility to the process. Moreover, to concerns that such a change would confer too much authority on the Chief Administrative Judge, it can be said that: (1) the 16 counties in which mandatory e-filing may now be authorized include most of the State's largest, most populous venues so that such additional counties as the Chief Administrative Judge might add have smaller populations and are not likely to host a great volume of litigation; (2) no expansion of mandatory e-filing may be undertaken without the approval of affected local County Clerks; (3) members of the bar will continue to enjoy their present ability to opt out of mandatory e-filing; and (4) self-represented litigants will automatically be exempt from mandatory e-filing (but able to opt in to such e-filing should they wish to do so). * Continue present authorization for the use of e-filing, both consensual and mandatory, in criminal superior courts and Family Court. While we have as yet to exploit this authorization, it is only because of a want of resources. Sooner or later, we will be able to do this and, given the tremendous success e-filing has enjoyed in civil cases, there is little reason to doubt that it will be similarly successful in criminal court and in Family Court. * Continue permanently, without change, programs of consensual and mandatory e-filing in Surrogate's Court and the New York City Civil Court; and programs for consensual e-filing (and filing by FAX) in the Court of Claims Bench and bar continue to register their support for the breadth and pace of e-filing's roll-out in these courts. * Authorize use of e-filing in the Appellate Divisions at the discretion of each Judicial Department subject only to the same case exclusions for mandatory e-filing as are applied in the trial courts, and an aspirational invitation to make any implementing rules uniform. All four Departments are anxious to see e-filing used in the cases before them, and they strongly support this initiative. * Relocate statutes governing e-filing from the State's Unconsolidated Laws to appropriate provisions of the Consolidated Laws. Unconsolidated statutes, where e-filing authority now reposes, can be very difficult to find It is far more sensible to place that authority in more accessible and more familiar Consolidated Laws like the Judiciary Law, CPLR, CPL, etc. This measure, which would have no meaningful fiscal impact, would take effect immediately, except that authorization for e-filing in criminal and Family Court cases would sunset on September 1, 2019. Tributes to E-filing in New York's Courts "It is time to end the 'experiment,' fully embrace modern technology, and by statute make e-filing a permanent part of New York practice " --- Hon. Jonathan Lippman Chief Judge of the State of New York "E-filing should be mandatory in all proceedings in all courts. Its use makes service and filing of papers far easier and less expensive for practicing lawyers as well as for the court system . Adoption of e-filing is an effective use of a now well-established technological tool that benefits everyone" --- New York State Bar Association "The overwhelming response by NYSTLA members . has been positive. E-filing has facilitated the efficient representation of clients, and brought the practice of law into the twenty-first century . . . NYSTLA is strongly in favor of further expanding the e-filing program." --- New York State Trial Lawyers Association "The decision to go to mandatory e-filing was one of the best decisions ever made for this Clerk's office. I look forward to adding more case types to our mandatory e-filing requirement in the future and see more counties make the move to court filing thru NYSCEF " --- Hon Malcolm Merrill Deputy County Clerk, Onondaga County "The implementation of electronic filing in Westchester County has been a tremendous success.Electronic filing has transformed the way we do business . . The customer eliminates the time and costs associated with getting paper filings to our office, as well as the risk that these paper filings could be misrouted along the way. There is no doubt this is both efficient and cost-effective for our customers we believe strongly the NYSCEF has a bright future and we want nothing more than to be the county where e-.filing is comprehensive and embraced by our customers and partners in the courts " --- Hon. Timothy C. Idoni Westchester County Clerk "The benefits of e-filing have been significant . . Electronic filing has certainly been a positive change to our operations E-filing has been successfully integrated, well-accepted and beneficial to all involved," --- Hon. Paul Piperato Rockland County Clerk "Overall, I am pleased that we were one of the first counties to participate voluntarily in e-filing and one of the first mandatory counties and I believe that the users in the Erie County Clerk's Office feel very positive about the system ." --- Hon. Christopher L. Jacobs Erie County Clerk "The feedback we received overwhelmingly supports expansion of NYSCEF, not only to more counties statewide, but also to the Appellate Divisions, and the Court of Appeals. In addition to supporting expansion of the e-filing system, the comments indicate support for a uniform filing system, with the various Courts being limited in the amount of customization so the system is consistent state wide." --- Managing Attorneys and Clerks Association "Overall, the move towards electronic filing has been positive and we look forward to expanding the breadth of cases which must be filed in this manner " --- Hon Judith A. Pascale Suffolk County Clerk "There has been extremely positive feedback, which is indicative of the unquestionable support this initiative has enjoyed . Nassau County looks to add additional case types in the near future . . ." --- Hon. Maureen O'Connell Nassau County Clerk "The NYSCEF system . . promotes transparency, accountability and confidence in the court system as litigants, attorneys, parties, judges, court staff and the public, have equal simultaneous and contemporaneous access to all filed documents, unless of course, a court order or law restricts access to a court file or a particular document " --- Hon. Nancy T. Sunshine Kings County Clerk "Under current law, a County may implement e-filing on a voluntary basis with the consent of the Clerk and the courts. Mandatory e-filing, however, requires an act of the state legislature. While this requirement was understandable when e-filing was a pilot program, NYSCEF has matured to the point that expansion to a mandatory program should be at the discretion of the courts and the clerk jointly." "While there are significant monetary savings to the office of the county clerk . perhaps the greatest benefits accrue to the public and the litigants." --- Hon. Bradford H. Kendall Dutchess County Clerk "The Niagara County Clerk's office has served as a partner with the New York State Office of Court Administration since the passage of the original e-filing enabling legislation. We are very pleased to have been on the forefront of this major project, and look forward to moving toward a mandatory program in the future " --- Hon. Wayne F. Jagow Niagara County Clerk "There is a constant collaboration of efforts between our county and the e-filing resource center to continuously enhance the system. NYSCEF staff is always willing to address any concerns and provide improvements to the system. We look forward to continue working with NYSCEF to expand mandatory electronic filings in all cases types in Queens County." --- Hon. Audrey I. Pfeffer Queens County Clerk "E-filing has saved my office a tremendous amount of time and we continue to strongly encourage our local attorneys to take the logical step to e-filing." --- Hon. Elizabeth Larkin Cortland County Clerk "Electronic filing creates costs savings as attorneys can access these files remotely, the cost savings accorded to law firms is immeasurable They no longer have to send someone to the office for routine matters such as, checking on an order or printing out a simple copy." --- Hon. Stephen J. Fiala Richmond County Clerk History of E-Filing in New York The following will summarize the evolution of e-filing in New York. L. 1999, c. 367 The State's introduction to e-filing. This measure authorized use of consensual e-filing in Supreme Court in one county in New York City and in one county outside the City, to be selected by the Chief Administrative Judge with the approval of the Administrative Board of the Courts. Under chapter 367, e-filing would be available for the filing of papers in commercial and tax certiorari cases in Supreme Court to commence a case and, as well, for the exchange of legal papers between counsel for the parties in such cases where all have consented to such exchange. Chapter 367 was scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2002, approximately three years after its enactment. In the wake of its enactment, consensual e-filing was authorized for commercial cases in the Commercial Divisions of Supreme Court in Monroe and New York Counties; and for tax certiorari cases in Supreme Court in Westchester County. L. 2002, c. 110 This measure continued the e-filing programs established by chapter 367 for another year i e , until July 1, 2003. Also, to enable greater experience with e-filing under the programs, the measure expanded the number of venues in which consensual e-filing could be authorized to include commercial claims in the Commercial Divisions of Supreme Court in Albany, Monroe, Nassau, New York, Suffolk and Westchester Counties; and tax certiorari cases in Supreme Court in Monroe, New York, Suffolk and Westchester Counties, Finally, the measure authorized -- for the first time - use of consensual e-filing in the Court of Claims. L. 2003, c. 261 This measure continued the e-filing programs established by chapter 367 and modified by chapter 110 for another 26 months - until September 1, 2005. L. 2004, c. 384 Responding to community requests, this measure expanded the number of venues and classes of cases in which consensual e-filing could be authorized to include commercial claims and tort cases in Supreme Court in Albany, Bronx, Kings, Monroe, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk and Westchester Counties; commercial claims in Supreme Court in Erie County; tax certiorari cases in Supreme Court in Bronx, Kings, Monroe, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk and Westchester Counties; and cases in Surrogate's Court in Erie County. L. 2005 c. 504 This measure continued the e-filing programs established by chapter 367 and subsequently modified for another four years - until September 1, 2009. Again recognizing growing community enthusiasm for e-filing in the courts, this measure further expanded the number of venues and classes of cases in which consensual e-filing could be authorized to include commercial claims, tax certiorari and tort cases in Supreme Court in Albany, Broome, Bronx, Erie, Essex, Kings, Monroe, Nassau, New York, Niagara, Onondaga, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, Sullivan and Westchester Counties; and all classes of cases in Supreme Court in Broome County. At the same time, it continued authority for e-filing in cases in Surrogate's Court in Erie County. L. 2007, c. 369 This measure further expanded the number of venues in which consensual e-filing could be authorized in commercial claims, tax certiorari and tort cases in Supreme Court to include Livingston County, along with Albany, Broome, Bronx, Erie, Essex, Kings, Monroe, Nassau, New York, Niagara, Onondaga, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, Sullivan and Westchester Counties (and all classes of cases in Supreme Court in Broome County) At the same time, it continued authority for e-filing in cases in Surrogate's Court in Erie County and added comparable authority for e-filing in cases in Surrogate's Court in Chautauqua, Monroe, Queens and Suffolk Counties. Finally, it added authority for consensual e-filing in the New York City Civil Court in claims brought by a provider of health services specified in section 502(a)(1) of the Insurance Law against an insurer for failure to comply with Insurance Department rules promulgated pursuant to section 5108(b) of the Insurance Law. L. 2008, c. 95 This measure authorized the Chief Administrative Judge to permit consensual e-filing in all classes of cases in Supreme Court in Erie County, along with Broome County. L. 2009, c. 416 Marking the tenth anniversary of New York's experience with consensual e-filing programs, this measure made the authority to permit such programs permanent; and expanded that authority so that it could be used to permit e-filing in in any class of cases in Supreme Court in any county, in Surrogate's Court in any county, in the Court of Claims statewide and in the New York City Civil Court. The measure also, for the first time, enabled the establishment of mandatory e-filing programs, albeit limited to certain categories of commercial claims in New York County, tort cases in Westchester County and one or more classes of cases (excluding matrimonials, Article 78 proceedings, proceedings under the Mental Hygiene Law and Election Law proceedings) in one other county outside New York selected by the Chief Administrative Judge. This authority for mandatory e-filing was made subject to a three-year sunset (September 1, 2012). L. 2010, c. 528 This measure built upon the changes instituted by chapter 416 of the Laws of the preceding year, especially as they applied to the newly-authorized deployment of mandatory e-filing in civil parts of Supreme Court. Specifically, the measure authorized the Chief Administrative Judge to permit mandatory e-filing in the same categories of commercial claims in Westchester County as it had authorized for such claims in New York County; and replaced authority for the Chief Administrative Judge to permit unrestricted (but for the exceptions created under chapter 416) mandatory e-filing in a single county outside New York with authority to permit such e-filing in the following four counties: Livingston, Monroe, Rockland and Tompkins. The measure also added the requirement that each local county clerk okay institution of mandatory e-filing in his or her county before it can go forth. Finally, the measure imposed a continuing and more detailed annual reporting requirement for the Chief Administrative Judge relating to the operation of e-filing programs. L. 2011, c. 543 This measure expanded the breadth of mandatory e-filing programs in civil parts of Supreme Court. Specifically, it authorized their establishment in Supreme Courts in New York City in commercial claims without regard to the amount in controversy; and in a broader array of counties that had been authorized by chapter 528 of the Laws of 2010 (adding Allegany, Essex and Onondaga, and permitting mandatory e-filing in all classes of cases (excluding matrimonials, Article 78 proceedings, proceedings under the Mental Hygiene Law and Election Law proceedings) in Westchester). The measure also permitted the Chief Administrative Judge to authorize mandatory e-filing in Surrogate's Court in any county, and in the New York City Civil Court in claims brought by a provider of health services specified in section 502(a)(1) of the Insurance Law against an insurer for failure to comply with Insurance Department rules promulgated pursuant to section 5108(b) of the Insurance Law. Finally, the measure created additional advisory committees to assist the Chief Administrative Judge in her responsibility to provide the Legislature with continuing evaluations of the State's e-filing programs and to help plan for institution of e-filing in criminal courts and Family Court. L. 2012, c. 184 This measure further expanded the breadth of mandatory e-filing programs in civil parts of Supreme Court. Specifically, it again added to the array of counties that had been authorized by chapter 528 of the Laws of 2010 (and modified by chapter 543 of the Laws of 2011), this time including Erie and Suffolk Counties. At the same time, it authorized the Chief Administrative Judge to extend mandatory e-filing to any class of cases (with the same exclusions applicable to mandatory e-filing in upstate counties) in Supreme Court in the counties of New York City. Lastly, the measure authorized the Chief Administrative Judge to institute consensual (and, under limited circumstances, mandatory) e-filing in criminal superior courts and in Family Court L. 2013, c. 113 This measure once again expanded the breadth of mandatory e-filing programs in civil parts of Supreme Court, adding Nassau County to the array of counties that had been authorized by chapter 528 of the Laws of 2010 (and modified by chapter 543 of the Laws of 2011 and chapter 184 of the Laws of 2012). {1} Excluded are: matrimonial actions, Election Law proceedings, CPLR Article 70 and 78 proceedings and Mental Hygiene Law proceedings. Also excluded are residential foreclosure actions and consumer credit proceedings to the extent of papers filed therein after the commencement papers have been filed (viz., e-filing may be required for the summons and complaint but not for any later papers in these cases), except that, for two years following the effective date of this measure, counties in which there already is mandatory e-filing of all papers in these cases may continue to observe that practice
S5833 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 5833 2015-2016 Regular Sessions I N S E N A T E June 5, 2015 ___________ Introduced by Sen. BONACIC -- (at request of the Office of Court Admin- istration) -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary AN ACT to amend the judiciary law, the civil practice law and rules, the court of claims act, the criminal procedure law, the family court act, the New York city civil court act and the surrogate's court procedure act, in relation to use of electronic means for the commencement and filing of papers in certain actions and proceedings; and providing for the repeal of certain provisions upon expiration thereof THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 212 of the judiciary law is amended by adding a new paragraph (t) to read as follows: (T) (I) (A) NOT LATER THAN APRIL FIRST IN EACH CALENDAR YEAR, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COURTS SHALL SUBMIT TO THE LEGISLATURE, THE GOVERNOR AND THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE STATE A REPORT EVALUATING THE STATE'S EXPERIENCE WITH PROGRAMS IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE SERVICE OF PAPERS THERE- IN AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW AND CONTAINING SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER LEGISLATION AS HE OR SHE SHALL DEEM APPROPRIATE. IN THE PREPARATION OF SUCH REPORT, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL CONSULT WITH EACH COUNTY CLERK IN WHOSE COUNTY A PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN CIVIL CASES IN THE SUPREME COURT, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEES ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPHS (II) THROUGH (VI) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, THE ORGANIZED BAR INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CITY, STATE, COUNTY AND WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCI- ATIONS; THE OFFICE OF INDIGENT LEGAL SERVICES; INSTITUTIONAL LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; PUBLIC DEFEN- DERS; ATTORNEYS ASSIGNED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-B OF THE COUNTY LAW; UNAFFILIATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGULARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY ANY PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED OR WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER LEGISLATION; EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD07846-04-5
S. 5833 2 REPRESENTATIVES OF VICTIMS' RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS; AND ANY OTHER PERSONS IN WHOSE COUNTY A PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN ANY OF THE COURTS THEREIN AS DEEMED TO BE APPROPRIATE BY THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR, AND AFFORD THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT COMMENTS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH IMPLEMENTATION FOR INCLUSION IN THE REPORT AND ADDRESS ANY SUCH COMMENTS. PUBLIC COMMENTS SHALL ALSO BE SOUGHT VIA A PROMINENT POSTING ON THE WEBSITE OF THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION. ALL COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM ANY SOURCE SHALL BE POSTED FOR PUBLIC REVIEW ON THE SAME WEBSITE. (B) THE REPORT SUBMITTED HEREUNDER IN THE TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN CALENDAR YEAR SHALL INCLUDE: (I) THE EVALUATION SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (VI) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, INCLUDING THE ENTITIES OR INDIVIDUALS CONSULTED, INPUT RECEIVED, ALL ISSUES ENCOUNTERED OR OTHERWISE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OR HIS OR HER AGENTS, ALL SOLUTIONS DEVISED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES, PRESENTMENT OF ALL OUTSTANDING ISSUES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY ISSUES RELATING TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR FILING BY UNREPRESENTED LITIGANTS, ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR, ALONG WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE ORIGINATION OF JUVE- NILE DELINQUENCY PROCEEDINGS UNDER ARTICLE THREE OF THE FAMILY COURT ACT AND ABUSE OR NEGLECT PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT TO ARTICLE TEN OF THE FAMILY COURT ACT IN FAMILY COURT AND THE FILING AND SERVICE OF PAPERS IN SUCH PENDING PROCEEDINGS. (II) THE EVALUATION SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (V) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, INCLUDING THE ENTITIES OR INDIVIDUALS CONSULTED, THE INPUT RECEIVED, ALL ISSUES ENCOUNTERED OR OTHERWISE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OR HIS OR HER AGENTS, ALL SOLUTIONS DEVISED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES, PRESENTMENT OF ALL OUTSTANDING ISSUES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY ISSUES RELATING TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR FILING BY UNREPRESENTED LITIGANTS, RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR, ALONG WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF CRIMINAL ACTIONS AND THE FILING AND SERVICE OF PAPERS IN PENDING CRIMINAL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS. (III) THE EVALUATION SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, INCLUDING THE ENTITIES OR INDIVIDUALS CONSULTED, INPUT RECEIVED, ALL ISSUES ENCOUNTERED OR OTHERWISE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OR HIS OR HER AGENTS, ALL SOLUTIONS DEVISED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES, PRESENTMENT OF ALL OUTSTANDING ISSUES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY ISSUES RELATING TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR FILING BY UNREPRESENTED LITIGANTS, ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR, ALONG WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE SERVICE AND FILING OF PAPERS THEREIN IN THE SUPREME COURT. (IV) THE EVALUATION SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (III) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, INCLUDING THE ENTITIES OR INDIVIDUALS CONSULTED, INPUT RECEIVED, ALL ISSUES ENCOUNTERED OR OTHERWISE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OR HIS OR HER AGENTS, ALL SOLUTIONS DEVISED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES, PRESENTMENT OF ALL OUTSTANDING ISSUES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY ISSUES RELATING TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR FILING BY UNREPRESENTED LITIGANTS, ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR, ALONG WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF S. 5833 3 ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE SERVICE AND FILING OF PAPERS THEREIN IN THE SURROGATE'S COURT. (V) THE EVALUATION SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (IV) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, INCLUDING THE ENTITIES OR INDIVIDUALS CONSULTED, INPUT RECEIVED, ALL ISSUES ENCOUNTERED OR OTHERWISE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OR HIS OR HER AGENTS, ALL SOLUTIONS DEVISED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES, PRESENTMENT OF ALL OUTSTANDING ISSUES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY ISSUES RELATING TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR FILING BY UNREPRESENTED LITIGANTS, ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR, ALONG WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE SERVICE AND FILING OF PAPERS THEREIN IN THE CIVIL COURT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. IN THE REPORT, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR ALSO SHALL ADDRESS ISSUES THAT BEAR UPON THE NEED FOR THE COURTS, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND OTHERS TO RETAIN PAPERS FILED WITH COURTS OR SERVED UPON PARTIES IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS WHERE ELECTRONIC MEANS CAN OR HAVE BEEN USED AND MAKE RECOM- MENDATIONS FOR SUCH CHANGES IN LAWS REQUIRING RETENTION OF SUCH PAPERS AS THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR MAY DEEM APPROPRIATE. (II) THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL MAINTAIN AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO CONSULT WITH HIM OR HER IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LAWS AFFECTING THE PROGRAM IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF CIVIL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE SERVICE AND FILING OF PAPERS THEREIN IN THE SUPREME COURT. THIS COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF SUCH NUMBER OF MEMBERS AS THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL DESIGNATE, AMONG WHICH THERE SHALL BE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ORGANIZED BAR INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CITY, STATE, COUNTY AND WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATIONS; INSTITUTIONAL LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; ATTORNEYS ASSIGNED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-B OF THE COUNTY LAW; UNAFFILIATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGULARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED OR WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE SERVICE AND FILING OF PAPERS THEREIN IN THE SUPREME COURT; AND ANY OTHER PERSONS IN WHOSE COUNTY A PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN ANY OF THE COURTS THEREIN AS DEEMED TO BE APPROPRIATE BY THE CHIEF ADMINIS- TRATOR. NO FEWER THAN HALF OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL BE UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY CLERKS. SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL HELP THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM ON LITIGANTS INCLUDING UNREPRESENTED PARTIES, PRACTITIONERS AND THE COURTS AND TO OBTAIN INPUT FROM THOSE WHO ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED BY SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM, INCLUDING UNREPRESENTED PARTIES, CITY, STATE, COUNTY AND WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATIONS; INSTITUTIONAL LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; ATTORNEYS ASSIGNED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-B OF THE COUNTY LAW; UNAFFILIATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGU- LARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED OR WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY ANY RECOM- MENDATIONS FOR FURTHER LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE USE OF THE ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM IN THE SUPREME COURT; AND ANY OTHER PERSONS IN WHOSE COUNTY A PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN ANY OF THE COURTS THEREIN AS DEEMED TO BE APPROPRIATE BY THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR. (III) THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL MAINTAIN AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO CONSULT WITH HIM OR HER IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LAWS AFFECTING THE PROGRAM IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE SERVICE AND FILING OF PAPERS THEREIN IN THE S. 5833 4 SURROGATE'S COURT. THIS COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF SUCH NUMBER OF MEMBERS AS THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL DESIGNATE AMONG WHICH THERE SHALL BE CHIEF CLERKS OF SURROGATE'S COURTS; REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ORGANIZED BAR INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CITY, STATE, COUNTY AND WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATIONS; INSTITUTIONAL PROVIDERS OF LEGAL SERVICES; NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; ATTORNEYS ASSIGNED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-B OF THE COUNTY LAW; UNAFFILIATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGU- LARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED OR WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY ANY RECOM- MENDATIONS FOR FURTHER LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE SERVICE AND FILING OF PAPERS THEREIN IN THE SURROGATE'S COURT; AND ANY OTHER PERSONS IN WHOSE COUNTY A PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN ANY OF THE COURTS THEREIN AS DEEMED TO BE APPROPRIATE BY THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR. SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL HELP THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM ON LITIGANTS INCLUDING UNREPRESENTED PARTIES, PRACTITIONERS AND THE COURTS AND TO OBTAIN INPUT FROM THOSE WHO ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED BY SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM, INCLUDING UNREPRESENTED PARTIES, CITY, STATE, COUNTY AND WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATIONS; INSTITUTIONAL LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; ATTORNEYS ASSIGNED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-B OF THE COUNTY LAW; UNAFFILIATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGULARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLE- MENTED OR WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER LEGIS- LATION CONCERNING THE USE OF THE ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM IN THE SURRO- GATE'S COURT; AND ANY OTHER PERSONS IN WHOSE COUNTY A PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN ANY OF THE COURTS THEREIN AS DEEMED TO BE APPROPRIATE BY THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR. (IV) THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL MAINTAIN AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO CONSULT WITH HIM OR HER IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LAWS AFFECTING THE PROGRAM IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE SERVICE AND FILING OF PAPERS THEREIN IN THE CIVIL COURT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. THIS COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF SUCH NUMBER OF MEMBERS AS THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL DESIGNATE, AMONG WHICH THERE SHALL BE THE CHIEF CLERK OF THE CIVIL COURT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK; REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ORGANIZED BAR INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CITY, STATE, COUNTY AND WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATIONS; ATTORNEYS WHO REGU- LARLY APPEAR IN ACTIONS SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (C) OF PARAGRAPH TWO OF SUBDIVISION (B) OF SECTION TWENTY-ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES; AND UNAFFILIATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGULARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED OR WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE SERVICE AND FILING OF PAPERS THEREIN IN THE CIVIL COURT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK; AND ANY OTHER PERSONS AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR. SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL HELP THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF SUCH ELEC- TRONIC FILING PROGRAM ON LITIGANTS INCLUDING UNREPRESENTED PARTIES, PRACTITIONERS AND THE COURTS AND TO OBTAIN INPUT FROM THOSE WHO ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED BY SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM, INCLUDING UNREPRE- SENTED PARTIES, CITY, STATE, COUNTY AND WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATIONS; INSTI- TUTIONAL LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICE PROVID- ERS; ATTORNEYS ASSIGNED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-B OF THE COUNTY LAW; UNAFFILIATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGULARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED OR WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER LEGISLATION CONCERN- S. 5833 5 ING THE USE OF THE ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM IN THE CIVIL COURT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK; AND ANY OTHER PERSONS IN WHOSE COUNTY A PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN ANY OF THE COURTS THEREIN AS DEEMED TO BE APPROPRI- ATE BY THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR. (V) THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL MAINTAIN AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO CONSULT WITH HIM OR HER IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LAWS AFFECTING THE PROGRAM IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF CRIMINAL ACTIONS AND THE FILING AND SERVICE OF PAPERS IN PENDING CRIMINAL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS, AS FIRST AUTHORIZED BY PARAGRAPH ONE OF SUBDIVISION (C) OF SECTION SIX OF CHAPTER FOUR HUNDRED SIXTEEN OF THE LAWS OF TWO THOU- SAND NINE, AS AMENDED BY CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-FOUR OF THE LAWS OF TWO THOUSAND TWELVE, IS CONTINUED. THE COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF SUCH NUMBER OF MEMBERS AS WILL ENABLE THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR TO OBTAIN INPUT FROM THOSE WHO ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED BY SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM, AND SUCH MEMBERS SHALL INCLUDE COUNTY CLERKS; CHIEF CLERKS OF SUPREME, COUNTY AND OTHER COURTS; DISTRICT ATTORNEYS; REPRESENTATIVES OF THE OFFICE OF INDIGENT LEGAL SERVICES; NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; PUBLIC DEFENDERS; STATEWIDE AND LOCAL SPECIALTY BAR ASSOCI- ATIONS WHOSE MEMBERSHIP DEVOTES A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THEIR PRACTICE TO ASSIGNED CRIMINAL CASES PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THE COUNTY LAW; INSTITUTIONAL PROVIDERS OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE SERVICES AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE BAR; REPRESENTATIVES OF VICTIMS' RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS; UNAFFILIATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGULARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED BY SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM AND OTHER INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY. SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL HELP THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM ON LITIGANTS INCLUDING UNREPRESENTED PARTIES, PRACTITIONERS AND THE COURTS AND TO OBTAIN INPUT FROM THOSE WHO ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED BY SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM, INCLUDING UNREPRESENTED PARTIES, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, PUBLIC DEFENDERS, STATEWIDE AND LOCAL SPECIALTY BAR ASSOCI- ATIONS WHOSE MEMBERSHIP DEVOTES A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THEIR PRACTICE TO ASSIGNED CRIMINAL CASES PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THE COUNTY LAW; INSTITUTIONAL PROVIDERS OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE SERVICES AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE BAR, REPRESENTATIVES OF VICTIMS' RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS, UNAFFILIATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGULARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED BY SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM AND OTHER INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY. (VI) THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL MAINTAIN AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO CONSULT WITH HIM OR HER IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LAWS AFFECTING THE PROGRAM IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE ORIGINATION OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PROCEEDINGS UNDER ARTICLE THREE OF THE FAMILY COURT ACT AND ABUSE OR NEGLECT PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT TO ARTICLE TEN OF THE FAMILY COURT ACT IN FAMILY COURT AND THE FILING AND SERVICE OF PAPERS IN SUCH PENDING PROCEEDINGS, AS FIRST AUTHORIZED BY PARAGRAPH ONE OF SUBDIVISION (D) OF SECTION SIX OF CHAPTER FOUR HUNDRED SIXTEEN OF THE LAWS OF TWO THOUSAND NINE, AS AMENDED BY CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-FOUR OF THE LAWS OF TWO THOUSAND TWELVE, IS CONTINUED. THE COMMITTEE SHALL CONSIST OF SUCH NUMBER OF MEMBERS AS WILL ENABLE THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR TO OBTAIN INPUT FROM THOSE WHO ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED BY SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM, AND SUCH MEMBERS SHALL INCLUDE CHIEF CLERKS OF FAMILY COURTS; REPRESENTATIVES OF AUTHORIZED PRESENTMENT AND CHILD PROTECTIVE AGENCIES; OTHER APPROPRIATE COUNTY AND CITY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS; INSTITUTIONAL PROVIDERS OF LEGAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND/OR PARENTS; NOT-FOR-PROFIT S. 5833 6 LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; PUBLIC DEFENDERS; REPRESENTATIVES OF THE OFFICE OF INDIGENT LEGAL SERVICES; ATTORNEYS ASSIGNED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE EIGH- TEEN-B OF THE COUNTY LAW; AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY COURT BAR; REPRESENTATIVES OF VICTIMS' RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS; UNAFFILIATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGULARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED BY SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM; AND OTHER INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY PRACTICE COMMUNITY. SUCH COMMITTEE SHALL HELP THE CHIEF ADMINIS- TRATOR TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM ON LITI- GANTS INCLUDING UNREPRESENTED PARTIES, PRACTITIONERS AND THE COURTS AND TO OBTAIN INPUT FROM THOSE WHO ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED BY SUCH ELEC- TRONIC FILING PROGRAM, INCLUDING UNREPRESENTED PARTIES, REPRESENTATIVES OF AUTHORIZED PRESENTMENT AND CHILD PROTECTIVE AGENCIES, OTHER APPROPRI- ATE COUNTY AND CITY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, INSTITUTIONAL PROVIDERS OF LEGAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND/OR PARENTS, NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, PUBLIC DEFENDERS, ATTORNEYS ASSIGNED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-B OF THE COUNTY LAW AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY COURT BAR, REPRESENTATIVES OF VICTIMS' RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS, UNAFFILIATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGULARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED BY SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM, AND OTHER INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY. S 2. The civil practice law and rules is amended by adding a new arti- cle 21-A to read as follows: ARTICLE 21-A FILING OF PAPERS IN THE COURTS BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION AND BY ELECTRONIC MEANS SECTION 2110. DEFINITIONS. 2111. FILING OF PAPERS IN THE TRIAL COURTS BY FACSIMILE TRANS- MISSION AND BY ELECTRONIC MEANS. 2112. FILING OF PAPERS IN THE APPELLATE DIVISION BY ELECTRONIC MEANS. S 2110. DEFINITIONS. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "FACSIMILE TRANS- MISSION" AND "ELECTRONIC MEANS" SHALL BE AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION (F) OF RULE 2103 OF THIS CHAPTER. S 2111. FILING OF PAPERS IN THE TRIAL COURTS BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION AND BY ELECTRONIC MEANS. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COURTS, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE ADMINIS- TRATIVE BOARD OF THE COURTS, MAY PROMULGATE RULES AUTHORIZING A PROGRAM IN THE USE OF FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION ONLY IN THE COURT OF CLAIMS AND ELECTRONIC MEANS IN THE SUPREME COURT, THE CIVIL COURT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, SURROGATE'S COURTS AND THE COURT OF CLAIMS FOR: (I) THE COMMENCEMENT OF CIVIL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS, AND (II) THE FILING AND SERVICE OF PAPERS IN PENDING ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL CONSULT WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OF A COUNTY OUTSIDE THE CITY OF NEW YORK BEFORE THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS IS TO BE AUTHORIZED IN THE SUPREME COURT OF SUCH COUNTY, AFFORD HIM OR HER THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT COMMENTS WITH RESPECT THERETO, CONSIDER ANY SUCH COMMENTS AND OBTAIN THE AGREEMENT THERETO OF SUCH COUNTY CLERK. (B) 1. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH TWO OF THIS SUBDIVI- SION, PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM SHALL BE STRICTLY VOLUNTARY, AND WILL TAKE PLACE ONLY UPON CONSENT OF ALL PARTIES IN THE ACTION OR SPECIAL PROCEEDING; EXCEPT THAT A PARTY'S FAILURE TO CONSENT TO PARTIC- IPATION SHALL NOT BAR ANY OTHER PARTY TO THE ACTION OR PROCEEDING FROM FILING AND SERVING PAPERS BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION OR ELECTRONIC MEANS UPON THE COURT OR ANY OTHER PARTY TO SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING WHO HAS CONSENTED TO PARTICIPATION. COMMENCEMENT OF AN ACTION BY ELECTRONIC MEANS OR BY FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION SHALL NOT REQUIRE THE CONSENT OF ANY S. 5833 7 OTHER PARTY. NO PARTY SHALL BE COMPELLED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO PARTICIPATE IN E-FILING. ALL PARTIES SHALL BE NOTIFIED CLEARLY, IN PLAIN LANGUAGE, ABOUT THEIR OPTIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN E-FILING. WHERE A PARTY IS NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, THE CLERK SHALL EXPLAIN SUCH PARTY'S OPTIONS FOR ELECTRONIC FILING IN PLAIN LANGUAGE, INCLUDING THE OPTION FOR EXPEDITED PROCESSING, AND SHALL INQUIRE WHETHER HE OR SHE WISHES TO PARTICIPATE, PROVIDED HOWEVER THE UNREPRESENTED LITIGANT MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM ONLY UPON HIS OR HER REQUEST, WHICH SHALL BE DOCUMENTED IN THE CASE FILE, AFTER SAID PARTY HAS BEEN PRESENTED WITH SUFFICIENT INFORMATION IN PLAIN LANGUAGE CONCERNING THE PROGRAM. 2. IN THE RULES PROMULGATED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (A) OF THIS SECTION, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR MAY ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM IN: (A) ONE OR MORE CLASSES OF CASES (EXCLUDING MATRIMONIAL ACTIONS AS DEFINED BY THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES, ELECTION LAW PROCEEDINGS, PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SEVENTY OR SEVENTY-EIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER, PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, RESI- DENTIAL FORECLOSURE ACTIONS INVOLVING A HOME LOAN AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION THIRTEEN HUNDRED FOUR OF THE REAL PROPERTY ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS LAW AND PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO CONSUMER CREDIT TRANS- ACTIONS AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION (F) OF SECTION ONE HUNDRED FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER, EXCEPT THAT THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS PARAGRAPH, MAY ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM INSOFAR AS IT APPLIES TO THE INITIAL FILING BY A REPRES- ENTED PARTY OF PAPERS REQUIRED FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF RESIDENTIAL FORE- CLOSURE ACTIONS INVOLVING A HOME LOAN AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION THIRTEEN HUNDRED FOUR OF THE REAL PROPERTY ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS LAW AND THE INITIAL FILING BY A REPRESENTED PARTY OF PAPERS REQUIRED FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO CONSUMER CREDIT TRANSACTIONS AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION (F) OF SECTION ONE HUNDRED FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER) IN SUPREME COURT IN SUCH COUNTIES AS HE OR SHE SHALL SPECIFY, AND (B) ONE OR MORE CLASSES OF CASES IN SURROGATE'S COURT IN SUCH COUNTIES AS HE OR SHE SHALL SPECIFY, AND (C) ACTIONS IN THE CIVIL COURT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK BROUGHT BY A PROVIDER OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH ONE OF SUBSECTION (A) OF SECTION FIVE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED TWO OF THE INSURANCE LAW AGAINST AN INSURER FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE RULES AND REGU- LATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (B) OF SECTION FIVE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED EIGHT OF SUCH LAW. (I) NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL NOT ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT IN ANY COUNTY UNTIL AFTER HE OR SHE SHALL HAVE CONSULTED WITH MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZED BAR INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CITY, STATE, COUNTY AND WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATIONS; WITH INSTI- TUTIONAL LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; WITH NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; WITH ATTORNEYS ASSIGNED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-B OF THE COUNTY LAW; WITH UNAFFILIATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGULARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY ANY PROGRAM OF ELECTRONIC FILING IN SUCH COUNTY THAT REQUIRES CONSENT OR WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED BY A PROGRAM OF ELECTRONIC FILING IN SUCH COUNTY SHOULD THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT BE ELIMINATED; WITH ANY OTHER PERSONS IN THE COUNTY AS DEEMED TO BE APPROPRIATE BY THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR; AND WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OF SUCH COUNTY (WHERE THE AFFECTED COURT IS THE SUPREME COURT OF A COUNTY OUTSIDE THE CITY OF NEW YORK), AND (II) ONLY AFTER AFFORDING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT COMMENTS WITH RESPECT THERETO, CONSIDERING ANY SUCH COMMENTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMIT- S. 5833 8 ED TO COMMENTS RELATED TO UNREPRESENTED LITIGANTS AND, IN THE INSTANCE OF ANY COUNTY OUTSIDE THE CITY OF NEW YORK, OBTAINING THE AGREEMENT THERETO OF THE COUNTY CLERK THEREOF. ALL SUCH COMMENTS SHALL BE POSTED FOR PUBLIC REVIEW ON THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION'S WEBSITE. 2-A. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH TWO OF THIS SUBDIVI- SION, THE EXCLUSION IN SUCH PARAGRAPH OF RESIDENTIAL FORECLOSURE ACTIONS INVOLVING A HOME LOAN AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION THIRTEEN HUNDRED FOUR OF THE REAL PROPERTY ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS LAW FROM THOSE CLASSES OF CASES IN WHICH THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR MAY ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION IN A PROGRAM IN THE USE OF ELEC- TRONIC MEANS SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY COUNTY IN WHICH, PRIOR TO THE EFFEC- TIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR HAD ELIMINATED THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION IN SUCH A PROGRAM IN SUCH FORE- CLOSURE ACTIONS, SPECIFICALLY ERIE, ESSEX, NEW YORK, QUEENS, ROCKLAND, SUFFOLK AND WESTCHESTER COUNTIES; AND THE EXCLUSION IN SUCH PARAGRAPH OF PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO CONSUMER CREDIT TRANSACTIONS AS DEFINED IN SUBDI- VISION (F) OF SECTION ONE HUNDRED FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER FROM THOSE CLASS- ES OF CASES IN WHICH THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR MAY ELIMINATE THE REQUIRE- MENT OF CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION IN A PROGRAM IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY COUNTY IN WHICH, PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR HAD ELIMINATED THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION IN SUCH A PROGRAM IN SUCH PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO CONSUMER CREDIT TRANSACTIONS, SPECIFICALLY ERIE, NEW YORK, ONONDAGA, ROCKLAND AND WESTCHESTER COUNTIES. 3. WHERE THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR ELIMINATES THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH TWO OF THIS SUBDIVISION, HE OR SHE SHALL AFFORD COUNSEL THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPT OUT OF THE PROGRAM, VIA PRESENTATION OF A PRESCRIBED FORM TO BE FILED WITH THE CLERK OF THE COURT WHERE THE ACTION IS PENDING. SAID FORM SHALL PERMIT AN ATTORNEY TO OPT OUT OF PARTIC- IPATION IN THE PROGRAM UNDER ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES, IN WHICH EVENT, HE OR SHE WILL NOT BE COMPELLED TO PARTICIPATE: (A) WHERE THE ATTORNEY CERTIFIES IN GOOD FAITH THAT HE OR SHE LACKS THE COMPUTER HARDWARE AND/OR CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET AND/OR SCANNER OR OTHER DEVICE BY WHICH DOCUMENTS MAY BE CONVERTED TO AN ELECTRONIC FORMAT; OR (B) WHERE THE ATTORNEY CERTIFIES IN GOOD FAITH THAT HE OR SHE LACKS THE REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE IN THE OPERATION OF SUCH COMPUTERS AND/OR SCAN- NERS NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH, THE KNOWLEDGE OF ANY EMPLOYEE OF AN ATTORNEY, OR ANY EMPLOYEE OF THE ATTORNEY'S LAW FIRM, OFFICE OR BUSINESS WHO IS SUBJECT TO SUCH ATTOR- NEY'S DIRECTION, SHALL BE IMPUTED TO THE ATTORNEY. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS SUBDIVISION, WHERE A PARTY IS NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, THE CLERK SHALL EXPLAIN SUCH PARTY'S OPTIONS FOR ELECTRONIC FILING IN PLAIN LANGUAGE AND SHALL INQUIRE WHETH- ER HE OR SHE WISHES TO PARTICIPATE, PROVIDED HOWEVER THE UNREPRESENTED LITIGANT MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM ONLY UPON HIS OR HER REQUEST AFTER SAID PARTY HAS BEEN PRESENTED WITH SUFFICIENT INFORMATION IN PLAIN LANGUAGE CONCERNING THE PROGRAM; AND A PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL WHO HAS CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM SHALL BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPT OUT OF THE PROGRAM FOR ANY REASON VIA PRESENTATION OF A PRESCRIBED FORM TO BE FILED WITH THE CLERK OF THE COURT WHERE THE PROCEEDING IS PENDING; AND A COURT MAY EXEMPT ANY ATTORNEY FROM BEING REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM UPON APPLICATION FOR SUCH EXEMPTION, SHOWING GOOD CAUSE THEREFOR. (C) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "THE FILING AND SERVICE OF PAPERS IN PENDING ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS" SHALL INCLUDE THE FILING AND SERVICE OF S. 5833 9 A NOTICE OF APPEAL PURSUANT TO SECTION FIFTY-FIVE HUNDRED FIFTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER. S 2112. FILING OF PAPERS IN THE APPELLATE DIVISION BY ELECTRONIC MEANS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, AND EXCEPT AS OTHER- WISE PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (C) OF SECTION TWENTY-ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE, THE APPELLATE DIVISION IN EACH JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT MAY PROMULGATE RULES AUTHORIZING A PROGRAM IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR: (I) APPEALS TO SUCH COURT FROM THE JUDGMENT OR ORDER OF A COURT OF ORIGINAL INSTANCE OR FROM THAT OF ANOTHER APPELLATE COURT, (II) MAKING A MOTION FOR PERMISSION TO APPEAL TO SUCH COURT, (III) COMMENCEMENT OF ANY OTHER PROCEEDING THAT MAY BE BROUGHT IN SUCH COURT, AND (IV) THE FILING AND SERVICE OF PAPERS IN PENDING ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS. PROVIDED HOWEVER, THE APPELLATE DIVISION MAY NOT ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION IN APPEALS IN SUCH A PROGRAM INVOLVING MATRIMO- NIAL ACTIONS AS DEFINED BY THIS CHAPTER, ELECTION LAW PROCEEDINGS, PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SEVENTY OR SEVENTY-EIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER, PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, RESI- DENTIAL FORECLOSURE ACTIONS INVOLVING A HOME LOAN AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION THIRTEEN HUNDRED FOUR OF THE REAL PROPERTY ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS LAW AND PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO CONSUMER CREDIT TRANS- ACTIONS AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION (F) OF SECTION ONE HUNDRED FIVE OF THIS CHAPTER; AND SUCH RULES SHALL NOT REQUIRE AN UNREPRESENTED PARTY OR ANY ATTORNEY WHO FURNISHES A CERTIFICATE SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (A) OR (B) OF PARAGRAPH THREE OF SUBDIVISION (B) OF SECTION TWENTY-ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS ARTICLE TO TAKE OR PERFECT AN APPEAL BY ELECTRON- IC MEANS. PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, BEFORE PROMULGATING ANY SUCH RULES, THE APPELLATE DIVISION IN EACH JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSULT WITH THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COURTS AND SHALL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT BY ALL THOSE WHO ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED INCLUD- ING CITY, STATE, COUNTY AND WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATIONS; INSTITUTIONAL LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; ATTOR- NEYS ASSIGNED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-B OF THE COUNTY LAW; UNAFFIL- IATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGULARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED OR WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY PROMULGATION OF RULES CONCERNING THE USE OF THE ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM IN THE APPELLATE DIVISION OF ANY JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT; AND ANY OTHER PERSONS IN WHOSE COUNTY A PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN ANY OF THE COURTS THEREIN AS DEEMED TO BE APPROPRIATE BY ANY APPELLATE DIVI- SION. TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, RULES PROMULGATED BY THE APPELLATE DIVISION IN EACH JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE UNIFORM. S 3. The court of claims act is amended by adding a new section 11-b to read as follows: S 11-B. USE OF FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRONIC FILING AUTHOR- IZED. 1. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE CHIEF ADMINIS- TRATOR OF THE COURTS, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OF THE COURTS, MAY AUTHORIZE A PROGRAM IN THE VOLUNTARY USE OF FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION AND ELECTRONIC MEANS IN THE COURT AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE TWENTY-ONE-A OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. 2. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION" AND "ELEC- TRONIC MEANS" SHALL BE AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION (F) OF RULE TWENTY-ONE HUNDRED THREE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. S 4. Section 10.40 of the criminal procedure law, as added by chapter 47 of the laws of 1984, is amended to read as follows: S 10.40 Chief administrator to prescribe forms AND TO AUTHORIZE USE OF ELECTRONIC FILING. S. 5833 10 1. The chief administrator of the courts shall have the power to adopt, amend and rescind forms for the efficient and just administration of this chapter. A failure by any party to submit papers in compliance with forms authorized by this section shall not be grounds for that reason alone for denial or granting of any motion. 2. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE CHIEF ADMINIS- TRATOR, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OF THE COURTS, MAY PROMULGATE RULES AUTHORIZING A PROGRAM IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS ("E-FILING") IN THE SUPREME COURT AND IN THE COUNTY COURT FOR (I) THE FILING WITH A COURT OF AN ACCUSATORY INSTRUMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMENCEMENT OF A CRIMINAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN A SUPERIOR COURT, AS PROVIDED BY ARTICLES ONE HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE AND TWO HUNDRED OF THIS CHAPTER, AND (II) THE FILING AND SERVICE OF PAPERS IN PENDING CRIMINAL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL CONSULT WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OF A COUNTY OUTSIDE THE CITY OF NEW YORK BEFORE THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS IS TO BE AUTHORIZED IN THE SUPREME COURT OR COUNTY COURT OF SUCH COUNTY, AFFORD HIM OR HER THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT COMMENTS WITH RESPECT THERETO, CONSIDER ANY SUCH COMMENTS AND OBTAIN THE AGREEMENT THERETO OF SUCH COUNTY CLERK. (B) (I) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS PARAGRAPH, PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM SHALL BE STRICTLY VOLUNTARY AND WILL TAKE PLACE ONLY UPON CONSENT OF ALL PARTIES IN THE CRIMINAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING; EXCEPT THAT A PARTY'S FAILURE TO CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION SHALL NOT BAR ANY OTHER PARTY TO THE ACTION FROM FILING AND SERVING PAPERS BY ELECTRONIC MEANS UPON THE COURT OR ANY OTHER PARTY TO SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING WHO HAS CONSENTED TO PARTICIPATION. FILING AN ACCUSATORY INSTRUMENT BY ELECTRONIC MEANS WITH THE COURT FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMMENCEMENT OF A CRIMINAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL NOT REQUIRE THE CONSENT OF ANY OTHER PARTY; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT UPON SUCH FILING ANY PERSON WHO IS THE SUBJECT OF SUCH ACCUSATORY INSTRUMENT AND ANY ATTORNEY FOR SUCH PERSON SHALL BE PERMITTED TO IMMEDIATELY REVIEW AND OBTAIN COPIES OF SUCH INSTRUMENT IF SUCH PERSON OR ATTORNEY WOULD HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED BY LAW TO REVIEW OR COPY SUCH INSTRUMENT IF IT HAD BEEN FILED WITH THE COURT IN PAPER FORM. NO PARTY SHALL BE COMPELLED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO PARTICIPATE IN E-FILING. ALL PARTIES SHALL BE NOTIFIED CLEARLY, IN PLAIN LANGUAGE, ABOUT THEIR OPTIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN E-FILING. WHERE A PARTY IS NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, THE CLERK SHALL EXPLAIN SUCH PARTY'S OPTIONS FOR ELECTRONIC FILING IN PLAIN LANGUAGE, INCLUDING THE OPTION FOR EXPEDITED PROCESSING, AND SHALL INQUIRE WHETHER HE OR SHE WISHES TO PARTICIPATE, PROVIDED HOWEVER THE UNREPRESENTED LITIGANT MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM ONLY UPON HIS OR HER REQUEST, WHICH SHALL BE DOCUMENTED IN THE CASE FILE, AFTER SAID PARTY HAS BEEN PRESENTED WITH SUFFICIENT INFORMA- TION IN PLAIN LANGUAGE CONCERNING THE PROGRAM. (II) THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR MAY ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM IN SUPREME AND COUNTY COURTS OF NOT MORE THAN SIX COUNTIES PROVIDED HE OR SHE MAY NOT ELIMINATE SUCH REQUIREMENT FOR A COURT WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THE CONSENT OF THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE BAR AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION AND THE CONSENT OF THE COUNTY CLERK OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH SUCH COURT PRESIDES. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL NOT ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION IN A COUNTY HEREUNDER UNTIL HE OR SHE SHALL HAVE PROVIDED ALL PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS, OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVE OR REPRESEN- TATIVES, WHO REGULARLY APPEAR IN CRIMINAL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS IN THE S. 5833 11 SUPERIOR COURT OF SUCH COUNTY WITH REASONABLE NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT COMMENTS WITH RESPECT THERETO AND SHALL HAVE GIVEN DUE CONSIDER- ATION TO ALL SUCH COMMENTS, NOR UNTIL HE OR SHE SHALL HAVE CONSULTED WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (V) OF PARAGRAPH (T) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED TWELVE OF THE JUDICIARY LAW. (C) WHERE THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR ELIMINATES THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDI- VISION, HE OR SHE SHALL AFFORD COUNSEL THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPT OUT OF THE PROGRAM, VIA PRESENTATION OF A PRESCRIBED FORM TO BE FILED WITH THE COURT WHERE THE CRIMINAL ACTION IS PENDING. SAID FORM SHALL PERMIT AN ATTORNEY TO OPT OUT OF PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM UNDER ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES, IN WHICH EVENT, HE OR SHE WILL NOT BE COMPELLED TO PARTICIPATE: (I) WHERE THE ATTORNEY CERTIFIES IN GOOD FAITH THAT HE OR SHE LACKS APPROPRIATE COMPUTER HARDWARE AND/OR CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET AND/OR SCANNER OR OTHER DEVICE BY WHICH DOCUMENTS MAY BE CONVERTED TO AN ELEC- TRONIC FORMAT; OR (II) WHERE THE ATTORNEY CERTIFIES IN GOOD FAITH THAT HE OR SHE LACKS THE REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE IN THE OPERATION OF SUCH COMPUTERS AND/OR SCAN- NERS NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH, THE KNOWLEDGE OF ANY EMPLOYEE OF AN ATTORNEY, OR ANY EMPLOYEE OF THE ATTORNEY'S LAW FIRM, OFFICE OR BUSINESS WHO IS SUBJECT TO SUCH ATTOR- NEY'S DIRECTION, SHALL BE IMPUTED TO THE ATTORNEY. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH: (A) WHERE A PARTY IS NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, THE CLERK SHALL EXPLAIN SUCH PARTY'S OPTIONS FOR ELECTRONIC FILING IN PLAIN LANGUAGE, INCLUDING THE OPTION FOR EXPEDITED PROCESSING, AND SHALL INQUIRE WHETHER HE OR SHE WISHES TO PARTICIPATE, PROVIDED HOWEVER THE UNREPRESENTED LITIGANT MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM ONLY UPON HIS OR HER REQUEST, WHICH SHALL BE DOCUMENTED IN THE CASE FILE, AFTER SAID PARTY HAS BEEN PRESENTED WITH SUFFICIENT INFORMATION IN PLAIN LANGUAGE CONCERNING THE PROGRAM; (B) A PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL WHO HAS CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM SHALL BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPT OUT OF THE PROGRAM FOR ANY REASON VIA PRESENTATION OF A PRESCRIBED FORM TO BE FILED WITH THE CLERK OF THE COURT WHERE THE PROCEEDING IS PENDING; AND (C) A COURT MAY EXEMPT ANY ATTORNEY FROM BEING REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM UPON APPLICATION FOR SUCH EXEMPTION, SHOWING GOOD CAUSE THEREFOR. (D)(I) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL AFFECT OR CHANGE ANY EXISTING LAWS GOVERNING THE SEALING AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF COURT RECORDS IN CRIM- INAL PROCEEDINGS OR ACCESS TO COURT RECORDS BY THE PARTIES TO SUCH PROCEEDINGS, NOR SHALL THIS SECTION BE CONSTRUED TO COMPEL A PARTY TO FILE A SEALED DOCUMENT BY ELECTRONIC MEANS. (II) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS SECTION, NO PAPER OR DOCUMENT THAT IS FILED BY ELECTRONIC MEANS IN A CRIMINAL PROCEEDING IN SUPREME COURT OR COUNTY COURT SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION ON-LINE. SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF EXISTING LAWS GOVERNING THE SEAL- ING AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF COURT RECORDS, NOTHING HEREIN SHALL PREVENT THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM FROM SHARING STATISTICAL INFORMATION THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY PAPERS OR DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE ACTION; AND, PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT PROHIBIT THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR, IN THE EXERCISE OF HIS OR HER DISCRETION, FROM POSTING PAPERS OR DOCU- MENTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN SEALED PURSUANT TO LAW ON A PUBLIC WEBSITE MAINTAINED BY THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM WHERE: (A) THE WEBSITE IS NOT THE WEBSITE ESTABLISHED BY THE RULES PROMULGATED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, AND (B) TO DO SO WOULD BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. S. 5833 12 FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR, IN DETERMIN- ING WHETHER POSTING PAPERS OR DOCUMENTS ON A PUBLIC WEBSITE IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, SHALL, AT A MINIMUM, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT FOR EACH POSTING THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: (A) THE TYPE OF CASE INVOLVED; (B) WHETHER SUCH POSTING WOULD CAUSE HARM TO ANY PERSON, INCLUDING ESPECIALLY A MINOR OR CRIME VICTIM; (C) WHETHER SUCH POSTING WOULD INCLUDE LEWD OR SCANDALOUS MATTERS; AND (D) THE POSSIBILITY THAT SUCH PAPERS OR DOCUMENTS MAY ULTI- MATELY BE SEALED. (III) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL AFFECT OR CHANGE EXISTING LAWS GOVERNING SERVICE OF PROCESS, NOR SHALL THIS SECTION BE CONSTRUED TO ABROGATE EXISTING PERSONAL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS AS SET FORTH IN THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW. 3. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS: (A) "CONSENT OF THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE BAR" SHALL MEAN THAT CONSENT HAS BEEN OBTAINED FROM ALL PROVIDER OFFICES AND/OR ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTY THAT REPRESENTED TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OR MORE OF THE PERSONS REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC DEFENSE PROVIDERS PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THE COUNTY LAW, AS SHOWN IN THE MOST RECENT ANNUAL REPORTS FILED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED TWEN- TY-TWO-F OF THE COUNTY LAW. SUCH CONSENT, WHEN GIVEN, MUST BE EXPRESSED IN A WRITTEN DOCUMENT THAT IS PROVIDED BY A PERSON WHO IS AUTHORIZED TO CONSENT ON BEHALF OF THE RELEVANT PUBLIC DEFENDER ORGANIZATION, AGENCY OR OFFICE; AND (B) "ELECTRONIC MEANS" SHALL BE AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION (F) OF RULE TWENTY-ONE HUNDRED THREE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES; AND (C) THE "FILING AND SERVICE OF PAPERS IN PENDING CRIMINAL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS" SHALL INCLUDE THE FILING AND SERVICE OF A NOTICE OF APPEAL PURSUANT TO SECTION 460.10 OF THIS CHAPTER. S 5. The criminal procedure law is amended by adding a new section 460.90 to read as follows: S 460.90 FILING OF PAPERS ON APPEAL TO THE APPELLATE DIVISION BY ELEC- TRONIC MEANS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE APPELLATE DIVISION IN EACH JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT MAY PROMULGATE RULES AUTHORIZING A PROGRAM IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE TAKING AND PERFECTION OF APPEALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWENTY-ONE HUNDRED TWELVE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. PROVIDED HOWEVER, SUCH RULES SHALL NOT REQUIRE AN UNREPRESENTED PARTY OR ANY ATTORNEY WHO FURNISHES A CERTIFICATION SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OR (II) OF PARAGRAPH (C) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 10.40 OF THIS CHAPTER TO TAKE OR PERFECT AN APPEAL BY ELECTRONIC MEANS. PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, BEFORE PROMULGAT- ING ANY SUCH RULES, THE APPELLATE DIVISION IN EACH JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSULT WITH THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COURTS AND SHALL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT BY ALL THOSE WHO ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED INCLUDING DISTRICT ATTORNEYS; REPRESENTATIVES OF THE OFFICE OF INDIGENT LEGAL SERVICES; NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICE PROVID- ERS; PUBLIC DEFENDERS; STATEWIDE AND LOCAL SPECIALTY BAR ASSOCIATIONS WHOSE MEMBERSHIP DEVOTES A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THEIR PRACTICE TO ASSIGNED CRIMINAL CASES PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THE COUNTY LAW; INSTITUTIONAL PROVIDERS OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE SERVICES AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE BAR; REPRESENTATIVES OF VICTIMS' RIGHTS ORGAN- IZATIONS; UNAFFILIATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGULARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED BY SUCH ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM; INTER- ESTED MEMBERS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY; AND ANY OTHER PERSONS S. 5833 13 IN WHOSE COUNTY A PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN ANY OF THE COURTS THEREIN AS DEEMED TO BE APPROPRIATE BY ANY APPELLATE DIVISION. TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, RULES PROMULGATED BY THE APPELLATE DIVISION IN EACH JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE UNIFORM. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "ELECTRONIC MEANS" SHALL BE AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION (F) OF RULE TWENTY-ONE HUNDRED THREE OF SUCH LAW AND RULES. S 6. Section 214 of the family court act, as amended by chapter 751 of the laws of 1989, is amended to read as follows: S 214. [State] CHIEF administrator to prescribe forms; ELECTRONIC FILING IN FAMILY COURT. (A) The [state] CHIEF administrator OF THE COURTS shall promulgate a uniform, statewide petition for adoption and may prescribe such other forms as may be proper for the efficient and just administration of this act, including forms for petitions, summons, warrants, subpoenas, undertakings, and orders authorized by this act. (B) (I) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE CHIEF ADMINIS- TRATOR, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD OF THE COURTS, MAY PROMULGATE RULES AUTHORIZING A PROGRAM IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS ("E-FILING") IN THE FAMILY COURT FOR: (1) THE ORIGINATION OF PROCEEDINGS IN SUCH COURT, AND (2) THE FILING AND SERVICE OF PAPERS IN PENDING PROCEEDINGS. (II) (1) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS PARAGRAPH, PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM SHALL BE STRICTLY VOLUNTARY AND WILL TAKE PLACE ONLY UPON CONSENT OF ALL PARTIES IN THE PROCEEDING; EXCEPT THAT FAILURE OF A PARTY OR OTHER PERSON WHO IS ENTITLED TO NOTICE OF THE PROCEEDINGS TO CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION SHALL NOT BAR ANY OTHER PARTY FROM FILING AND SERVING PAPERS BY ELECTRONIC MEANS UPON THE COURT OR ANY OTHER PARTY OR PERSON ENTITLED TO RECEIVE NOTICE OF SUCH PROCEEDING WHO HAS CONSENTED TO PARTICIPATION. FILING A PETITION WITH THE COURT BY ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ORIGINATING A PROCEEDING SHALL NOT REQUIRE THE CONSENT OF ANY OTHER PARTY; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT UPON SUCH FILING, A PARTY TO SUCH PROCEEDING AND ANY ATTORNEY FOR SUCH PERSON SHALL BE PERMITTED TO IMMEDIATELY REVIEW AND OBTAIN COPIES OF SUCH DOCUMENTS AND PAPERS IF SUCH PERSON OR ATTORNEY WOULD HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED BY LAW TO REVIEW OR OBTAIN COPIES OF SUCH DOCUMENTS AND PAPERS IF THEY HAD BEEN FILED WITH THE COURT IN PAPER FORM. NO PARTY SHALL BE COMPELLED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO PARTICIPATE IN E-FILING. ALL PARTIES SHALL BE NOTIFIED CLEARLY, IN PLAIN LANGUAGE, ABOUT THEIR OPTIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN E-FILING. WHERE A PARTY IS NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, THE CLERK SHALL EXPLAIN SUCH PARTY'S OPTIONS FOR ELECTRONIC FILING IN PLAIN LANGUAGE, INCLUDING THE OPTION FOR EXPEDITED PROCESSING, AND SHALL INQUIRE WHETHER HE OR SHE WISHES TO PARTICIPATE, PROVIDED HOWEVER THE UNREPRESENTED LITIGANT MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM ONLY UPON HIS OR HER REQUEST, WHICH SHALL BE DOCUMENTED IN THE CASE FILE, AFTER SAID PARTY HAS BEEN PRESENTED WITH SUFFICIENT INFORMA- TION IN PLAIN LANGUAGE CONCERNING THE PROGRAM. (2) IN THE RULES PROMULGATED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS SUBDI- VISION, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR MAY ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM IN FAMILY COURTS OF NOT MORE THAN SIX COUNTIES FOR: (A) THE FILING WITH THE COURT OF A PETITION ORIGINATING A JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PROCEEDING UNDER ARTICLE THREE OF THIS ACT BY A PRESENTMENT AGENCY AS DEFINED IN SECTION 301.2 OF SUCH ACT; (B) THE FILING WITH THE COURT OF A PETITION ORIGINATING IN A PROCEED- ING TO DETERMINE ABUSE OR NEGLECT PURSUANT TO ARTICLE TEN OF THIS ACT BY A CHILD PROTECTIVE AGENCY, AS DEFINED IN SECTION ONE THOUSAND TWELVE OF SUCH ACT; AND S. 5833 14 (C) THE FILING AND SERVICE OF PAPERS IN PROCEEDINGS SPECIFIED IN CLAUSES (A) AND (B) OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH WHERE, PURSUANT TO SUCH CLAUS- ES, SUCH PROCEEDINGS WERE ORIGINATED IN THE COURT BY ELECTRONIC FILING. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR SHALL NOT ELIM- INATE THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF EACH AUTHORIZED PRESENTMENT AGENCY, CHILD PROTECTIVE AGENCY OF AN AFFECTED COUNTY, THE FAMILY COURT BAR PROVIDING REPRESENTATION TO PARENTS, AND THE FAMILY COURT BAR PROVIDING REPRESENTATION TO CHILDREN (AS REPRESENTED BY THE HEAD OF EACH LEGAL SERVICES ORGANIZATION REPRES- ENTING PARENTS AND/OR CHILDREN, THE HEAD OF EACH PUBLIC DEFENDER ORGAN- IZATION, AND PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATION AS APPLICABLE) IN ANY COUNTY IN WHICH SUCH ELIMINATION SHALL APPLY. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR MAY NOT ELIMI- NATE THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT TO PARTICIPATION IN A COUNTY HEREUNDER UNTIL HE OR SHE SHALL HAVE PROVIDED ALL PERSONS OR ORGANIZATIONS, OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVE OR REPRESENTATIVES, WHO REGULARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS IN THE FAMILY COURT OF SUCH COUNTY, IN WHICH PROCEEDINGS THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT IS TO BE ELIMINATED, WITH REASONABLE NOTICE AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT COMMENTS WITH RESPECT THERETO AND SHALL HAVE GIVEN DUE CONSIDERATION TO ALL SUCH COMMENTS, NOR UNTIL HE OR SHE SHALL HAVE CONSULTED WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONTINUED PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (VI) OF PARAGRAPH (T) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED TWELVE OF THE JUDICIARY LAW. (C) WHERE THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR ELIMINATES THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSENT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH TWO OF PARAGRAPH (II) OF SUBDIVISION (B) OF THIS SECTION, HE OR SHE SHALL AFFORD COUNSEL THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPT OUT OF THE PROGRAM, VIA PRESENTATION OF A PRESCRIBED FORM TO BE FILED WITH THE CLERK OF THE COURT WHERE THE PROCEEDING IS PENDING. SAID FORM SHALL PERMIT AN ATTORNEY TO OPT OUT OF PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM UNDER ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES, IN WHICH EVENT, HE OR SHE WILL NOT BE COMPELLED TO PARTICIPATE: (I) WHERE THE ATTORNEY CERTIFIES IN GOOD FAITH THAT HE OR SHE LACKS THE COMPUTER HARDWARE AND/OR CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET AND/OR SCANNER OR OTHER DEVICE BY WHICH DOCUMENTS MAY BE CONVERTED TO AN ELECTRONIC FORMAT; OR (II) WHERE THE ATTORNEY CERTIFIES IN GOOD FAITH THAT HE OR SHE LACKS THE REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE IN THE OPERATION OF SUCH COMPUTERS AND/OR SCAN- NERS NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PARAGRAPH, THE KNOWLEDGE OF ANY EMPLOYEE OF AN ATTORNEY, OR ANY EMPLOYEE OF THE ATTOR- NEY'S LAW FIRM, OFFICE OR BUSINESS WHO IS SUBJECT TO SUCH ATTORNEY'S DIRECTION, SHALL BE IMPUTED TO THE ATTORNEY. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF THIS PARAGRAPH: (A) WHERE A PARTY OR A PERSON ENTITLED TO NOTICE OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS NOT REPRES- ENTED BY COUNSEL, THE COURT SHALL EXPLAIN SUCH PARTY'S OPTIONS FOR ELEC- TRONIC FILING IN PLAIN LANGUAGE, INCLUDING THE OPTION FOR EXPEDITED PROCESSING, AND SHALL INQUIRE WHETHER HE OR SHE WISHES TO PARTICIPATE, PROVIDED HOWEVER, THE UNREPRESENTED LITIGANT MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM ONLY UPON HIS OR HER REQUEST, WHICH SHALL BE DOCUMENTED IN THE CASE FILE, AFTER SAID PARTY HAS BEEN PRESENTED WITH SUFFICIENT INFORMA- TION IN PLAIN LANGUAGE CONCERNING THE PROGRAM; (B) A PARTY WHO IS NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL WHO HAS CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM SHALL BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPT OUT OF THE PROGRAM FOR ANY REASON VIA PRESENTATION OF A PRESCRIBED FORM TO BE FILED WITH THE CLERK OF THE COURT WHERE THE PROCEEDING IS PENDING; AND (C) A COURT MAY EXEMPT ANY ATTORNEY FROM BEING REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM UPON APPLICATION FOR SUCH EXEMPTION, SHOWING GOOD CAUSE THEREFOR. S. 5833 15 (D) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "ELECTRONIC MEANS" SHALL BE AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION (F) OF RULE TWENTY-ONE HUNDRED THREE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. (E) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF THIS CHAPTER, NO PAPER OR DOCU- MENT THAT IS FILED BY ELECTRONIC MEANS IN A PROCEEDING IN FAMILY COURT SHALL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION ON-LINE. SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF EXISTING LAWS GOVERNING THE SEALING AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF COURT RECORDS, NOTHING HEREIN SHALL PREVENT THE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM FROM SHARING STATISTICAL INFORMATION THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY PAPERS OR DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE ACTION. (F) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL AFFECT OR CHANGE ANY EXISTING LAWS GOVERNING THE SEALING AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF COURT RECORDS IN FAMILY COURT PROCEEDINGS OR ACCESS TO COURT RECORDS BY THE PARTIES TO SUCH PROCEEDINGS, NOR SHALL THIS SECTION BE CONSTRUED TO COMPEL A PARTY TO FILE A SEALED DOCUMENT BY ELECTRONIC MEANS. (G) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL AFFECT OR CHANGE EXISTING LAWS GOVERNING SERVICE OF PROCESS, NOR SHALL THIS SECTION BE CONSTRUED TO ABROGATE EXISTING PERSONAL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS AS SET FORTH IN THIS ACT AND THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. S 7. The family court act is amended by adding a new section 1122 to read as follows: S 1122. FILING OF PAPERS ON APPEAL TO THE APPELLATE DIVISION BY ELEC- TRONIC MEANS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE APPELLATE DIVISION IN EACH JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT MAY PROMULGATE RULES AUTHORIZING A PROGRAM IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR THE TAKING AND PERFECTION OF APPEALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION TWENTY-ONE HUNDRED TWELVE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "ELECTRONIC MEANS" SHALL BE AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION (F) OF RULE TWENTY-ONE HUNDRED THREE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. PROVIDED HOWEVER, SUCH RULES SHALL NOT REQUIRE AN UNREPRESENTED PARTY OR ANY ATTORNEY WHO FURNISHES A CERTIFICATE SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH (I) OR (II) OF SUBDIVISION (C) OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER TO TAKE OR PERFECT AN APPEAL BY ELECTRONIC MEANS. PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, BEFORE PROMULGATING ANY SUCH RULES, THE APPELLATE DIVISION IN EACH JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT SHALL CONSULT WITH THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COURTS AND SHALL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT BY ALL THOSE WHO ARE OR WOULD BE AFFECTED INCLUDING CITY, STATE, COUNTY AND WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATIONS; INSTITUTIONAL LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; NOT-FOR-PROFIT LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS; ATTORNEYS ASSIGNED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-B OF THE COUNTY LAW; UNAFFILIATED ATTORNEYS WHO REGU- LARLY APPEAR IN PROCEEDINGS THAT ARE OR HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED OR WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY PROMULGA- TION OF RULES CONCERNING THE USE OF THE ELECTRONIC FILING PROGRAM IN THE APPELLATE DIVISION OF ANY JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT; AND ANY OTHER PERSONS IN WHOSE COUNTY A PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN ANY OF THE COURTS THEREIN AS DEEMED TO BE APPROPRIATE BY ANY APPELLATE DIVISION. TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, RULES PROMULGATED BY THE APPELLATE DIVISION IN EACH JUDI- CIAL DEPARTMENT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SHALL BE UNIFORM. S 8. The New York city civil court act is amended by adding a new section 2103-a to read as follows: S 2103-A. USE OF ELECTRONIC FILING AUTHORIZED. 1. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COURTS MAY AUTHORIZE A PROGRAM IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS IN THE CIVIL COURT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE TWENTY-ONE-A OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. S. 5833 16 2. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "ELECTRONIC MEANS" SHALL BE AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION (F) OF RULE TWENTY-ONE HUNDRED THREE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. S 9. The surrogate's court procedure act is amended by adding a new section 107 to read as follows: S 107. USE OF ELECTRONIC FILING AUTHORIZED 1. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COURTS MAY AUTHORIZE A PROGRAM IN THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MEANS IN THE SURROGATE'S COURT AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE TWENTY-ONE-A OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. 2. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, "ELECTRONIC MEANS" SHALL BE AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION (F) OF RULE TWENTY-ONE HUNDRED THREE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES. S 10. (a) Where rules authorizing a program in the use of electronic means for any purpose and in any court were promulgated by the chief administrator of the courts pursuant to law on or before August 31, 2015, and such rules were in effect on such date, such rules shall remain in effect unless modified or abrogated by the chief administrator pursuant to law as provided in this act. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, no party or his or her counsel shall be charged a fee for viewing information filed by electronic means, or for downloading or printing such information through the use of such party's or counsel's own equipment. The chief administrator of the courts shall ensure that sufficient computer termi- nals and staff are available at the courthouse of each court participat- ing in the program in the use of electronic means, to enable parties and their counsel to access information, subject to the provisions of arti- cle 21-A of the civil practice law and rules, section 10.40 of the crim- inal procedure law and subdivision (b) of section 214 of the family court act, and laws governing the sealing and confidentiality of court records, filed by electronic means at such courthouse in a prompt and convenient manner. S 11. This act shall take effect immediately; provided that sections four, five, six and seven of this act shall expire and be deemed repealed September 1, 2019; and provided that paragraph 2-a of subdivi- sion (b) of section 2111 of the civil practice law and rules, as added by section two of this act, shall expire and be deemed repealed Septem- ber 1, 2017.
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