A 6189 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to allowing unaccompanied children in custody to petition the family court

This bill allows unaccompanied children in federal custody (such as those under U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' refugee resettlement programs) to directly petition New York family courts for dependency status. It creates a new court process where children or their advocates can file petitions seeking court orders to ensure proper care, without requiring the child to be physically present in New York. The courts must determine dependency based on evidence like sworn statements, and if approved, can issue orders to protect the child's safety while recognizing their federal custody. The bill does not change federal custody arrangements but ensures children in these situations have access to New York's family court system for care decisions.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 26, 2025 Last action Feb 25, 2026
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What changed between versions

A6189 A6189A · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill was amended to add more sponsors and update its status in the legislative process. The substantive text of the bill itself remains largely unchanged, with only minor formatting adjustments to the definition section.
Scope change
No substantive scope change; the bill's applicability and provisions remain the same.
TECHNICAL

Added four new sponsors (Schiafoni, Lunsford, Davila, Simone) to the bill introduction.

Updated the bill status to show it was discharged from committee, amended, and recommitted.

Minor formatting adjustment to the definition of 'Special findings' that removed the word 'petition' from the text.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 6189A
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors