Establishes standards for public access to family court proceedings and when a judge can exclude individuals from proceedings.

New York S02597 amends the family court act to establish standards for public access to family court proceedings and when a judge can exclude individuals from proceedings. The family court shall be open to the public, and members of the public, including the news media, shall have access to all courtrooms, lobbies, public waiting areas, and other common areas of the family court. The general public or any person may be excluded from a courtroom only if the court determines, on a case-by-case basis, that such exclusion is warranted.

Establishes standards for public access to family court proceedings and when a judge can exclude individuals from proceedings.

New York S02597 amends the family court act to establish standards for public access to family court proceedings and when a judge can exclude individuals from proceedings. The family court shall be open to the public, and members of the public, including the news media, shall have access to all courtrooms, lobbies, public waiting areas, and other common areas of the family court. The general public or any person may be excluded from a courtroom only if the court determines, on a case-by-case basis, that such exclusion is warranted.