Requires the chief administrator of the courts and the office of information technology services to develop a portal for the exchange of discovery in criminal cases.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7022
SPONSOR: Walker TITLE OF BILL:
An act relating to requiring the chief administrator of the courts, in
conjunction with the office of information technology services, to
develop a portal for the exchange of discovery in criminal cases
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To require the development of a statewide electronic portal to facili-
tate the exchange of discovery materials in criminal cases, promoting
efficiency, transparency, and fairness in criminal proceedings.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill requires the Chief Administrator of the Courts, in
coordination with the Office of Information Technology Services, to
develop a statewide electronic portal through which discovery in crimi-
nal cases may be exchanged between police departments, district attor-
neys, institutional defense providers, private attorneys, and assigned
counsel. The portal must be available for use no later than January 1,
2027.
Section 2 sets the effective date of the bill.
JUSTIFICATION:
In criminal cases, the exchange of discovery-evidence and information
shared between the prosecution and defense-is critical for ensuring a
fair trial. However, the process for discovery exchange can be slow,
inefficient, and prone to errors. Currently, discovery materials are
often shared physically, which not only delays proceedings but also
raises logistical issues and the potential for lost or mishandled mate-
rials.
This bill proposes the creation of a universal discovery database. Such
a portal would streamline the process by providing a secure, centralized
platform for district attorneys, public defenders, private attorneys,
and assigned counsel to share required discovery materials quickly and
efficiently. The portal would ensure that all parties in a criminal case
have access to the necessary information in a timely manner, fostering
transparency and reducing delays.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: A7068 - Referred to Governmental Operations
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The development of the statewide electronic discovery portal may require
an initial investment in technology infrastructure and development.
However, the long-term savings and efficiencies gained from digitizing
the discovery process are expected to outweigh the initial costs. Addi-
tionally, the creation of the portal could lead to cost savings related
to the storage and physical transportation of discovery materials,
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7022
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 18, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. WALKER -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Codes
AN ACT relating to requiring the chief administrator of the courts, in
conjunction with the office of information technology services, to
develop a portal for the exchange of discovery in criminal cases
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The chief administrator of the courts, in conjunction with
2 the office of information technology services, shall establish a state-
3 wide strategy plan under which a statewide electronic portal shall be
4 developed and made available through the unified court system to enable
5 police departments, district attorneys, institutional defense providers,
6 private attorneys and assigned counsel to provide required discovery
7 disclosure to opposing counsel in criminal cases. The portal shall be
8 available for use no later than January 1, 2027.
9 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06638-02-5
