Relates to the removal of actions to certain courts in an adjoining county

Defendants can seek nearby specialized courts

Outside New York City, defendants can ask to move their indictment and case to a neighboring county's superior court. The receiving court must be a human trafficking, veterans treatment, or mental health court designated by the Chief Administrator of the Courts. District attorneys in both counties must consent. Family offense charges covered by Criminal Procedure Law section 530.11(1) cannot move to a veterans treatment court. The receiving court can handle the case through judgment or another final outcome. A transfer order takes effect five days after issuance unless the receiving court refuses the case or accepts it earlier. Refusal stops the transfer; early acceptance moves the effective date forward. After either notice, the receiving court must promptly notify the defendant, their lawyer, and both district attorneys about the transfer and next steps. Mental health courts must coordinate treatment plans and services with the local government unit where the defendant lives. If the defendant does not follow or finish the mental health program, the original court takes back responsibility for further proceedings. The law takes effect on the same date and in the same manner as the related 2025 law identified as S. 8312 and A. 7563.