A 7198 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to the unauthorized release of sealed records

This bill makes it a class B misdemeanor for public officers or employees to intentionally disclose sealed legal records to unauthorized people, punishable by fines up to $1,000 (no jail time). It applies to records sealed under specific laws, such as criminal procedure or family court files, and directly affects government employees handling such sensitive information. Key exceptions include allowing the person whose record is sealed to share it themselves, officers discussing events without confirming sealed details, or disclosures made in good faith to entitled individuals. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 21, 2025 Last action Jan 7, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
lower
Mar 21, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Monique Chandler-Waterman
Monique Chandler-Waterman
DDemocratic
NY
58