S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4628
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 4, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ZEBROWSKI -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT requiring the court to hold a settlement conference prior to
conducting any further proceedings in any pending residential eviction
matter; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expira-
tion thereof
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, prior
to conducting any further proceedings in any pending residential
eviction matter, the court must hold a settlement conference with the
petitioner and the respondent to review the effects, if any, that the
COVID-19 pandemic has had on either parties, review any relief under
state or federal law that either party may be eligible for, including
the New York Tenant Safe Harbor Act (Chapter 127 of 2020), refer either
party to local civil legal service providers or housing counseling agen-
cies, assess any pending and anticipated motions, approved briefing
schedules proposed by stipulation of the parties, determine whether the
parties can reach a mutually agreeable resolution to avoid eviction and
review any other issues the court deems relevant. To the greatest extent
possible, the court shall schedule a settlement conference prior to a
trial or hearing, provided however, this requirement shall apply in all
matters at any stage of the eviction process, including any matter where
a warrant of eviction has issued and been delivered to an enforcement
agent but has not been executed. The court shall establish the parame-
ters of the conference to ensure it is conducted, either in person or
virtually, in a manner that ensures equitable participation of the
parties and a good faith attempt at settlement. The chief administrative
judge shall by rule adopt procedures to implement such settlement
conference.
ยง 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed
repealed January 1, 2023.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07266-01-1