BILL NUMBER: S9790
SPONSOR: SEPULVEDA
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the judiciary law, in relation to audio-visual coverage
of judicial proceedings by the media; and to repeal section 218 of the
judiciary law and section 52 of the civil rights law relating thereto
 
PURPOSE:
Provides for audio-visual recordings in judicial proceedings; repealer.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 repeals Section 218 of the Judiciary law and adds a new
Section 218 that provides for audio-visual recordings in judicial
proceedings. Details requirements for equipment and personnel including
type, location, and movement, provisions for livestreaming, and sound
and light criteria, and when limitations on audio-visual coverage are
permitted.
Section 2 repeals section 52 of the civil rights law.
Section 3 amends subdivision 5 of section 751 of the judiciary law.
Section 4 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The public has the right to observe judicial proceedings. This legis-
lation to permit audio-visual coverage of judicial proceedings will
increase court accessibility while permitting reasonable restrictions
considerate to the needs of witnesses.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.462-A of 2025 (Hoylman-Sigal): Passed Senate.
S.160-B of 2024 (Hoylman-Sigal): Passed Senate.
S.792-A of 2022 (Hoylman-Sigal): Died in Finance.
S.5039 of 2020 (Hoylman-Sigal): Died in Judiciary
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become law

Statutes affected:
S9790: 218 judiciary law, 52 civil rights law, 751 judiciary law, 751(5) judiciary law