BILL NUMBER: S3170
SPONSOR: FELDER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the family court act, in relation to enacting the "fami-
ly court adjusted service time (FAST) act"; and providing for the repeal
of such provisions upon expiration thereof
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would create a pilot program for family court in New York City
to remain open until midnight one day a week for 3 boroughs.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "family court
adjusted service time (FAST) act"
2. Section 2, Subdivision (a) of section 161 of the family court act is
amended so that the chief administrator of the courts shall require that
at least one night a week, two counties in the city of New York, effec-
tive January 1, 2026 shall remain open until midnight. Effective Janu-
ary 1, 2027, family court in three counties shall remain open until
midnight.
3. No later than December 1, 2027, the Chief administrator of the court
shall submit a report evaluating the use of family court in the counties
which had required the court to remain open until midnight.
4. Effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Family Court of the State of New York has the authority to decide
cases affecting the lives of children and families. Many of the courts
in New York City remain open in the evening and some are even open until
1:00am, but not Family Court. This often means issues involving families
and children are not addressed as quickly as they should be.
This is despite the fact that Family Court handles some of the most
vulnerable people who enter the justice system. Among the issues that
Family Court handles includes child abuse, neglect, domestic violence,
juvenile delinquency and child custody. Many of these cases need to be
handled in a timely fashion and this legislation addresses a great
disparity between Family Court and the other courts which operate in New
York City.
This legislation would create a pilot program for Family Court in New
York City, to remain open until midnight one day per week in 3 counties.
It would also require a report be submitted to determine the effective-
ness of evening family court.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2020: S.8060
2021/2022: S3683 - Passed Senate both years
2023/2024: S2355 - Passed Senate both years
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire April 1, 2028