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Bill

A 3463

Relates to exempting certain statements relating to sexual abuse or misconduct from disclosure under FOIL

2025 Regular Session Introduced by William Colton and 4 co-sponsors

Creates a FOIL exemption for certain statements about sexual abuse or misconduct, shielding them from public disclosure to protect privacy.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
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Bill Summary · A 3463

Summary of Assembly Bill A 3463 (New York)

Overview

A 3463, introduced on January 27, 2025 and currently referred to the Governmental Operations Committee, would modify the state's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) by exempting certain statements relating to sexual abuse or misconduct from disclosure. The bill has multiple sponsors and companion/related measures in the Senate and other Assembly bills from prior sessions.

What the bill would do

  • Create an exemption under FOIL for “certain statements” that relate to sexual abuse or sexual misconduct.
  • The specific language, scope, and criteria for what constitutes an exempt statement would be defined in the bill’s text (not provided in the summary). In general terms, the exemption would shield qualifying statements from mandatory disclosure by government agencies that are subject to FOIL.
  • The bill would establish, as part of FOIL's framework, when such statements may be withheld or protected from public access.

Who or what would be affected

  • Government agencies and entities subject to FOIL (state and local), insofar as they maintain records containing statements that fall within the exemption.
  • Individuals who provided statements related to sexual abuse or misconduct (e.g., victims, witnesses, or other participants) whose statements could be protected from public disclosure under FOIL.
  • The public, including journalists, researchers, and advocates, who rely on FOIL to obtain government records.

Key provisions and potential impact (high level)

  • Introduces a statutory exemption to FOIL for specified statements about sexual abuse or misconduct.
  • Aims to protect privacy and sensitive information in certain statements, potentially balancing transparency with safeguards for victims and others.
  • The exact scope (which statements, in what contexts, whether redactions are allowed, and any procedural safeguards) will be determined by the final statutory language.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Introduced: January 27, 2025
  • Status: Referred to Governmental Operations (as of the latest available actions)
  • Legislative actions recorded: Referred to Governmental Operations on January 27, 2025 (listed twice in the record)

Sponsors and related measures

  • Primary sponsor: Charles Lavine
  • Cosponsors: William Colton, Jaime R. Williams, Vivian Cook, Jodi Giglio
  • Related/companion measures:
    • A 7679, A 2658, A 3673, A 1758 (prior-session)
    • S 645 (companion in the Senate; listed as a companion measure)

Notes for readers

  • The exact scope, definitions, and procedural rules (e.g., disclosures and redactions) will be clarified in the full text of the bill. Current information indicates the bill’s purpose is to shield certain sexual abuse/misconduct-related statements from FOIL disclosure, signaling a focus on privacy and sensitive information in public records.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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