N.Y. Family Court Act § 340.2 (2026)

§ 340.2. Presiding judge. 1. The judge who presides at the
commencement of the fact-finding hearing shall continue to preside until
such hearing is concluded and an order entered pursuant to section 345.1
unless a mistrial is declared.
  2. The judge who presides at the fact-finding hearing or accepts an
admission pursuant to section 321.3 shall preside at any other
subsequent hearing in the proceeding, including but not limited to the
dispositional hearing.
  3. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision two, the rules of the
family court shall provide for the assignment of the proceeding to
another judge of the court when the appropriate judge cannot preside:
  (a) by reason of illness, disability, vacation or no longer being a
judge of the court in that county; or
  (b) by reason of removal from the proceeding due to bias, prejudice or
similar grounds; or
  (c) because it is not practicable for the judge to preside.
  4. The provisions of this section shall not be waived.