New York Assembly Bill A00958

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Relates to establishing guidelines for DAs with regard to electronic conversion of certain records, books or papers in the care, custody or control of DAs that are more than 10 years old.

Summary

This bill amends the Judiciary Law to allow an Appellate Division justice, on application by a county district attorney, to authorize the electronic filing of certain records, books, or papers in the district attorney’s care, custody, or control that are more than ten years old. The bill specifies that the conversion may be done by electronic scan or microfiche and applies only where the court determines the filing would serve no legal, practical, or useful purpose. The bill creates exceptions for records related to homicide cases, permanent criminal case records, printed and bound volumes of cases on appeal, and original indictments. It also allows the Appellate Division to require written consent from any state or local agency with an interest in the records before approving disposition. The measure takes effect immediately.

Impact

The bill would give district attorneys a formal process to reduce paper storage by converting older records to electronic form, while preserving certain categories of records that must remain intact. It would amend state Judiciary Law section 89 by adding a new subdivision governing record disposition and electronic conversion, and it would affect district attorneys, appellate justices, and any state or local agencies with an interest in the records. The practical effect is to modernize records management and potentially reduce storage burdens, but only under court supervision and with carve-outs for sensitive or legally significant materials.

Sentiment

The available context shows no recorded committee debate or votes, so there is no documented opposition or support in the provided materials. Based on the bill text, the proposal appears administrative and noncontroversial on its face, aimed at records management efficiency rather than substantive criminal law changes. The inclusion of judicial approval and exceptions for homicide and permanent criminal records suggests an effort to balance modernization with preservation concerns.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are the scope of records eligible for electronic conversion and the safeguards around historically or legally important materials. Opponents might be concerned about losing access to older paper records, evidentiary integrity, or archival preservation, while supporters would likely emphasize efficiency, storage reduction, and modernization. The explicit exclusions for homicide-related records, permanent criminal case records, appellate volumes, and original indictments indicate that preservation of critical records is the central limiting principle.