Enacts the "sunshine in litigation act" regarding protective orders

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why the sponsor says this is needed

Secrecy agreements that conceal public hazards undermine the civil justice system and endanger New Yorkers by keeping information vital to their health and safety from public view. Secret settlements also have a corrosive effect on public confidence in the courts. The recent recall and controversy surrounding Firestone tires under- scores the need for the "Sunshine in Litigation" reforms. Victims of the dangerous tires began seeking justice in the courts in 1992, but it was not until 2000 that the tires were recalled. During the interim there were dozens of lawsuits settled out of court in which Firestone demanded and obtained secrecy orders. These effectively blocked the release to the public of information about the potential dangers associ- ated with the tires. As a result, there were many unnecessary deaths and injuries which could have been avoided. Other examples of secret settle- ments that concealed ongoing harm to the public are asbestos, silicone breast implants, and DES synthetic estrogen. A number of other states have enacted disclosure laws, including South Carolina, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Washington.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.