S 10654

                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
                                   10654
                             I N  S E N A T E
                               June 4, 2026
                                ___________
 Introduced  by Sen. SCARCELLA-SPANTON -- read twice and ordered printed,
   and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
 AN ACT to amend the family court act and the domestic relations law,  in
   relation to controlling and abusive litigation
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
   Section 1. The family court act is amended by adding a new section 159
 to read as follows:
   § 159. CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION. (A) AS USED IN THIS SECTION
 "LITIGATION" MEANS ANY KIND OF LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING INCLUDING, BUT
 NOT LIMITED TO: FILING A SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, DEMAND, OR PETITION;  SERV-
 ING  A SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, DEMAND, OR PETITION, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT
 HAS BEEN FILED; FILING A MOTION, NOTICE  OF  COURT  DATE,  OR  ORDER  TO
 APPEAR;  SERVING  A  MOTION,  NOTICE  OF COURT DATE, OR ORDER TO APPEAR,
 REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT HAS BEEN FILED OR SCHEDULED; FILING A SUBPOENA,
 SUBPOENA  DUCES  TECUM,  REQUEST  FOR   INTERROGATORIES,   REQUEST   FOR
 PRODUCTION, NOTICE OF DEPOSITION, OR OTHER DISCOVERY REQUEST; OR SERVING
 A  SUBPOENA,  SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM, REQUEST FOR INTERROGATORIES, REQUEST
 FOR PRODUCTION, NOTICE OF DEPOSITION, OR OTHER DISCOVERY REQUEST.
   (B) UPON A MOTION FILED PURSUANT TO  THIS  SECTION,  THE  COURT  SHALL
 DETERMINE  WHETHER  A PARTY IS ENGAGING IN CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITI-
 GATION. THE COURT SHALL FIND THAT A PARTY IS ENGAGED IN CONTROLLING  AND
 ABUSIVE LITIGATION IF SAID PARTY:
   1. HAS COMMITTED AN ACT OR ACTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST THE OTHER
 PARTY  IN  THE  MATTER  AND  THAT PARTY IS DEEMED A VICTIM OR VICTIMS OF
 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AS DEFINED BY SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION FOUR  HUNDRED
 FIFTY-NINE-A  OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW OR THE PROVISIONS OF A SUBSTAN-
 TIALLY SIMILAR STATUTE UNDER THE LAWS OF ANOTHER  STATE  OR  THE  UNITED
 STATES; AND
   2.  IN  BAD  FAITH  AND  PRIMARILY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DELAY; MALICIOUS
 INJURY; OR HARASSING, INTIMIDATING,  OR  MAINTAINING  CONTACT  WITH  THE
 OTHER  PARTY,  INITIATES,  ADVANCES, OR CONTINUES LITIGATION AGAINST THE
 PARTY WHO IS THE VICTIM OR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; AND
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD16045-02-6
 S. 10654                            2
   3. WITH REGARD TO LITIGATION INITIATED, ADVANCED, OR CONTINUED BY  THE
 PARTY  ALLEGEDLY  ENGAGING  IN  CONTROLLING  AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION, THE
 COURT FINDS BY A PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE THAT:
   I.  CLAIMS, ALLEGATIONS, AND OTHER LEGAL CONTENTIONS IN THE LITIGATION
 ARE WITHOUT ANY REASONABLE BASIS IN LAW  OR  EQUITY  AND  COULD  NOT  BE
 SUPPORTED  BY  A  GOOD FAITH ARGUMENT FOR AN EXTENSION, MODIFICATION, OR
 REVERSAL OF EXISTING LAW, AN EXISTING ORDER, OR THE ESTABLISHMENT  OF  A
 NEW ORDER; OR
   II.  ALLEGATIONS  AND  OTHER FACTUAL CONTENTIONS IN THE LITIGATION ARE
 MADE WITHOUT EVIDENTIARY SUPPORT; OR
   III. ONE OR MORE ISSUES THAT ARE THE  BASIS  OF  THE  LITIGATION  HAVE
 PREVIOUSLY  BEEN  THE SUBJECT OF LITIGATION FILED IN THE SAME OR ANOTHER
 COURT IN THIS STATE OR ANY OTHER COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION AND THE
 ACTIONS HAVE BEEN LITIGATED AND DISPOSED OF  UNFAVORABLY  TO  THE  PARTY
 ALLEGED TO BE ENGAGING IN CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION.
   (C)  1. A MOTION MAY BE FILED AT ANY TIME TO DETERMINE WHETHER A PARTY
 IS ENGAGING IN CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION BY A PARTY  WHO  IS  A
 VICTIM  OF  DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE  AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION
 FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-NINE-A OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, OR ON THE  COURT'S
 OWN MOTION. IF THE COURT VERIFIES THAT BOTH PARTIES ARE FAMILY OR HOUSE-
 HOLD  MEMBERS  AS  DEFINED  BY  SUBDIVISION  TWO OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED
 FIFTY-NINE-A OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW AND THE PARTY RAISING THE  CLAIM
 OF  CONTROLLING  AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE A VICTIM OF
 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY THE CONDUCT OF THE OTHER PARTY,  OR  THE  COURT  IS
 UNABLE  TO  VERIFY  THAT  ONE ELEMENT IS NOT TRUE, THE COURT SHALL SET A
 HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE LITIGATION IS CONTROLLING  AND  ABUSIVE
 LITIGATION. THE MOTION MAY BE FILED ORALLY WHILE UNDER OATH, OR IN WRIT-
 ING, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF COURT.
   2.  AT  THE  TIME  SET  FOR THE HEARING ON THE ALLEGED CONTROLLING AND
 ABUSIVE LITIGATION, THE COURT SHALL HEAR ALL RELEVANT TESTIMONY AND  MAY
 REQUIRE  ANY AFFIDAVITS, DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OR OTHER RECORDS THE COURT
 DEEMS NECESSARY.
   (D) THERE SHALL BE A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION THAT A PARTY  IS  ENGAGING
 IN CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION IF:
   1.  THE  LITIGATION  INITIATED,  ADVANCED,  OR  CONTINUED BY THE PARTY
 ALLEGEDLY ENGAGING IN CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE  LITIGATION  INVOLVES  THE
 SAME  OR  SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR ISSUES BETWEEN THE SAME OR SUBSTANTIALLY
 SIMILAR PARTIES WHICH HAVE BEEN LITIGATED WITHIN THE PAST FIVE YEARS  IN
 THE SAME COURT OR ANY OTHER COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION; OR
   2.  THE  LITIGATION  INITIATED,  ADVANCED,  OR  CONTINUED BY THE PARTY
 ALLEGEDLY ENGAGING IN CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE  LITIGATION  INVOLVES  THE
 SAME  OR  SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR ISSUES BETWEEN THE SAME OR SUBSTANTIALLY
 SIMILAR PARTIES HAVE BEEN RAISED, PLED OR ALLEGED IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS
 AND WERE DISMISSED ON THE MERITS OR WITH PREJUDICE;
   3. WITHIN THE PAST TEN YEARS, A COURT IN THIS STATE OR ANOTHER  JURIS-
 DICTION  HAS DETERMINED THAT THE PARTY ALLEGEDLY ENGAGING IN CONTROLLING
 AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION HAS PREVIOUSLY ENGAGED IN CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE
 LITIGATION OR SIMILAR CONDUCT; OR
   4. WITHIN THE PAST TEN YEARS, THE PARTY ALLEGEDLY ENGAGING IN CONTROL-
 LING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION HAS BEEN FOUND TO HAVE INITIATED,  ADVANCED,
 OR  CONTINUED  LITIGATION THAT WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN FRIVOLOUS PURSUANT
 TO SECTION EIGHTY-THREE HUNDRED THREE-A OF THE CIVIL  PRACTICE  LAW  AND
 RULES  OR  22  NYCRR § 130-1.1 OR A SIMILAR LAW OR RULE IN THIS STATE OR
 ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
 S. 10654                            3
   (E) UPON FINDING THAT A PARTY HAS ENGAGED IN CONTROLLING  AND  ABUSIVE
 LITIGATION,  IN  ADDITION  TO  ANY  OTHER RELIEF DEEMED APPROPRIATE, THE
 COURT SHALL ENTER AN ORDER:
   1.  DISMISSING  ANY MATTER OR DENYING ANY RELIEF REQUESTED PURSUANT TO
 PENDING CONTROLLING  AND  ABUSIVE  LITIGATION  INITIATED,  ADVANCED,  OR
 CONTINUED BY THE PARTY;
   2.  AWARDING  REASONABLE  ATTORNEYS'  FEES,  EXPENSES,  AND  COSTS  OF
 RESPONDING TO THE CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE  LITIGATION,  INCLUDING  THOSE
 ASSOCIATED  WITH  A  MOTION  FILED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, LOST WAGES,
 TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND CHILDCARE COSTS;
   3. IDENTIFYING THE VICTIM OF THE CONTROLLING  AND  ABUSIVE  LITIGATION
 AND  PROVIDING  THAT  THE VICTIM SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO RESPOND TO ANY
 PENDING OR FUTURE LITIGATION, UNLESS DIRECTED TO DO SO BY THE COURT;
   4. PROHIBITING THE PARTY FOUND  TO  BE  ENGAGING  IN  CONTROLLING  AND
 ABUSIVE  LITIGATION FROM INITIATING, ADVANCING, OR CONTINUING LITIGATION
 INVOLVING THE VICTIM OF THE CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE  LITIGATION,  EXCEPT
 UPON  LEAVE  OF  COURT  GRANTED UPON APPLICATION SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE
 WITH THE RULES OF COURT; AND
   5. IMPOSING A TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR  FINE  FOR  EACH  FINDING  OF
 CONTROLLING  AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION. LEAVE SHALL NOT BE GRANTED PURSUANT
 TO PARAGRAPH FOUR OF THIS SUBDIVISION UNTIL SUCH FINES HAVE BEEN PAID IN
 FULL.
   (F) IF THE COURT FINDS BY A PREPONDERANCE OF  THE  EVIDENCE  THAT  THE
 LITIGATION  DOES  NOT CONSTITUTE CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION, THE
 COURT SHALL ENTER WRITTEN FINDINGS AND THE LITIGATION SHALL PROCEED.
   (G) NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE DEEMED TO RESTRICT A PARTY  FOUND
 TO BE ENGAGING IN CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION FROM FILING, INITI-
 ATING,  ADVANCING,  OR  CONTINUING  LITIGATION THAT DOES NOT VIOLATE THE
 PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
   § 2. The domestic relations law is amended by adding a new section 256
 to read as follows:
   § 256. CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION. 1. AS USED IN THIS  SECTION
 "LITIGATION" MEANS ANY KIND OF LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING INCLUDING, BUT
 NOT  LIMITED TO: FILING A SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, DEMAND, OR PETITION; SERV-
 ING A SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, DEMAND, OR PETITION, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER  IT
 HAS  BEEN  FILED;  FILING  A  MOTION,  NOTICE OF COURT DATE, OR ORDER TO
 APPEAR; SERVING A MOTION, NOTICE OF COURT  DATE,  OR  ORDER  TO  APPEAR,
 REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT HAS BEEN FILED OR SCHEDULED; FILING A SUBPOENA,
 SUBPOENA   DUCES   TECUM,   REQUEST  FOR  INTERROGATORIES,  REQUEST  FOR
 PRODUCTION, NOTICE OF DEPOSITION, OR OTHER DISCOVERY REQUEST; OR SERVING
 A SUBPOENA, SUBPOENA DUCES TECUM, REQUEST FOR  INTERROGATORIES,  REQUEST
 FOR PRODUCTION, NOTICE OF DEPOSITION, OR OTHER DISCOVERY REQUEST.
   2.  UPON  A  MOTION  FILED  PURSUANT  TO THIS SECTION, THE COURT SHALL
 DETERMINE WHETHER A PARTY IS ENGAGING IN CONTROLLING AND  ABUSIVE  LITI-
 GATION.  THE COURT SHALL FIND THAT A PARTY IS ENGAGED IN CONTROLLING AND
 ABUSIVE LITIGATION IF SAID PARTY:
   (A) HAS COMMITTED AN ACT OR ACTS  OF  DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE  AGAINST  THE
 OTHER  PARTY  IN THE MATTER AND THAT PARTY IS DEEMED A VICTIM OR VICTIMS
 OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AS DEFINED  BY  SUBDIVISION  ONE  OF  SECTION  FOUR
 HUNDRED  FIFTY-NINE-A  OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW OR THE PROVISIONS OF A
 SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR STATUTE UNDER THE LAWS OF  ANOTHER  STATE  OR  THE
 UNITED STATES; AND
   (B)  IN  BAD  FAITH  AND PRIMARILY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DELAY; MALICIOUS
 INJURY; OR HARASSING, INTIMIDATING,  OR  MAINTAINING  CONTACT  WITH  THE
 OTHER  PARTY,  INITIATES,  ADVANCES, OR CONTINUES LITIGATION AGAINST THE
 PARTY WHO IS THE VICTIM OR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; AND
 S. 10654                            4
   (C) WITH REGARD TO LITIGATION INITIATED, ADVANCED, OR CONTINUED BY THE
 PARTY ALLEGEDLY ENGAGING IN  CONTROLLING  AND  ABUSIVE  LITIGATION,  THE
 COURT FINDS BY A PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE THAT:
   I.  CLAIMS, ALLEGATIONS, AND OTHER LEGAL CONTENTIONS IN THE LITIGATION
 ARE WITHOUT ANY REASONABLE BASIS IN LAW  OR  EQUITY  AND  COULD  NOT  BE
 SUPPORTED  BY  A  GOOD FAITH ARGUMENT FOR AN EXTENSION, MODIFICATION, OR
 REVERSAL OF EXISTING LAW, AN EXISTING ORDER, OR THE ESTABLISHMENT  OF  A
 NEW ORDER; OR
   II.  ALLEGATIONS  AND  OTHER FACTUAL CONTENTIONS IN THE LITIGATION ARE
 MADE WITHOUT EVIDENTIARY SUPPORT; OR
   III. ONE OR MORE ISSUES THAT ARE THE  BASIS  OF  THE  LITIGATION  HAVE
 PREVIOUSLY  BEEN  THE SUBJECT OF LITIGATION FILED IN THE SAME OR ANOTHER
 COURT IN THIS STATE OR ANY OTHER COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION AND THE
 ACTIONS HAVE BEEN LITIGATED AND DISPOSED OF  UNFAVORABLY  TO  THE  PARTY
 ALLEGED TO BE ENGAGING IN CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION.
   3.  (A) A MOTION MAY BE FILED AT ANY TIME TO DETERMINE WHETHER A PARTY
 IS ENGAGING IN CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION BY A PARTY  WHO  IS  A
 VICTIM  OF  DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE  AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION
 FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-NINE-A OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, OR ON THE  COURT'S
 OWN MOTION. IF THE COURT VERIFIES THAT BOTH PARTIES ARE FAMILY OR HOUSE-
 HOLD  MEMBERS  AS  DEFINED  BY  SUBDIVISION  TWO OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED
 FIFTY-NINE-A OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW AND THE PARTY RAISING THE  CLAIM
 OF  CONTROLLING  AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE A VICTIM OF
 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY THE CONDUCT OF THE OTHER PARTY,  OR  THE  COURT  IS
 UNABLE  TO  VERIFY  THAT  ONE ELEMENT IS NOT TRUE, THE COURT SHALL SET A
 HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE LITIGATION IS CONTROLLING  AND  ABUSIVE
 LITIGATION. THE MOTION MAY BE FILED ORALLY WHILE UNDER OATH, OR IN WRIT-
 ING, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF COURT.
   (B)  AT  THE  TIME  SET FOR THE HEARING ON THE ALLEGED CONTROLLING AND
 ABUSIVE LITIGATION, THE COURT SHALL HEAR ALL RELEVANT TESTIMONY AND  MAY
 REQUIRE  ANY AFFIDAVITS, DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OR OTHER RECORDS THE COURT
 DEEMS NECESSARY.
   4. THERE SHALL BE A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION THAT A PARTY IS ENGAGING IN
 CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION IF:
   (A) THE LITIGATION INITIATED, ADVANCED,  OR  CONTINUED  BY  THE  PARTY
 ALLEGEDLY  ENGAGING  IN  CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION INVOLVES THE
 SAME OR SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR ISSUES BETWEEN THE SAME  OR  SUBSTANTIALLY
 SIMILAR  PARTIES WHICH HAVE BEEN LITIGATED WITHIN THE PAST FIVE YEARS IN
 THE SAME COURT OR ANY OTHER COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION; OR
   (B) THE LITIGATION INITIATED, ADVANCED,  OR  CONTINUED  BY  THE  PARTY
 ALLEGEDLY  ENGAGING  IN  CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION INVOLVES THE
 SAME OR SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR ISSUES BETWEEN THE SAME  OR  SUBSTANTIALLY
 SIMILAR PARTIES HAVE BEEN RAISED, PLED OR ALLEGED IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS
 AND WERE DISMISSED ON THE MERITS OR WITH PREJUDICE;
   (C) WITHIN THE PAST TEN YEARS, A COURT IN THIS STATE OR ANOTHER JURIS-
 DICTION  HAS DETERMINED THAT THE PARTY ALLEGEDLY ENGAGING IN CONTROLLING
 AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION HAS PREVIOUSLY ENGAGED IN CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE
 LITIGATION OR SIMILAR CONDUCT; OR
   (D) WITHIN THE  PAST  TEN  YEARS,  THE  PARTY  ALLEGEDLY  ENGAGING  IN
 CONTROLLING  AND  ABUSIVE  LITIGATION  HAS BEEN FOUND TO HAVE INITIATED,
 ADVANCED, OR CONTINUED LITIGATION THAT WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN  FRIVOLOUS
 PURSUANT  TO  SECTION EIGHTY-THREE HUNDRED THREE-A OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE
 LAW AND RULES OR 22 NYCRR § 130-1.1 OR A SIMILAR LAW  OR  RULE  IN  THIS
 STATE OR ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
 S. 10654                            5
   5.  UPON  FINDING  THAT A PARTY HAS ENGAGED IN CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE
 LITIGATION, IN ADDITION TO ANY  OTHER  RELIEF  DEEMED  APPROPRIATE,  THE
 COURT SHALL ENTER AN ORDER:
   (A)  DISMISSING ANY MATTER OR DENYING ANY RELIEF REQUESTED PURSUANT TO
 PENDING CONTROLLING  AND  ABUSIVE  LITIGATION  INITIATED,  ADVANCED,  OR
 CONTINUED BY THE PARTY;
   (B)  AWARDING  REASONABLE  ATTORNEYS'  FEES,  EXPENSES,  AND  COSTS OF
 RESPONDING TO THE CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE  LITIGATION,  INCLUDING  THOSE
 ASSOCIATED  WITH  A  MOTION  FILED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, LOST WAGES,
 TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND CHILDCARE COSTS;
   (C) IDENTIFYING THE VICTIM OF THE CONTROLLING AND  ABUSIVE  LITIGATION
 AND  PROVIDING  THAT  THE VICTIM SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO RESPOND TO ANY
 PENDING OR FUTURE LITIGATION, UNLESS DIRECTED TO DO SO BY THE COURT;
   (D) PROHIBITING THE PARTY FOUND TO  BE  ENGAGING  IN  CONTROLLING  AND
 ABUSIVE  LITIGATION FROM INITIATING, ADVANCING, OR CONTINUING LITIGATION
 INVOLVING THE VICTIM OF THE CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE  LITIGATION,  EXCEPT
 UPON  LEAVE  OF  COURT  GRANTED UPON APPLICATION SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE
 WITH THE RULES OF COURT; AND
   (E) IMPOSING A TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR FINE  FOR  EACH  FINDING  OF
 CONTROLLING  AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION. LEAVE SHALL NOT BE GRANTED PURSUANT
 TO PARAGRAPH (D) OF THIS SUBDIVISION UNTIL SUCH FINES HAVE BEEN PAID  IN
 FULL.
   6.  IF  THE  COURT  FINDS  BY A PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE THAT THE
 LITIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE  LITIGATION,  THE
 COURT SHALL ENTER WRITTEN FINDINGS AND THE LITIGATION SHALL PROCEED.
   7.  NOTHING  IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE DEEMED TO RESTRICT A PARTY FOUND
 TO BE ENGAGING IN CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE LITIGATION FROM FILING, INITI-
 ATING, ADVANCING, OR CONTINUING LITIGATION THAT  DOES  NOT  VIOLATE  THE
 PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
   §  3.  This  act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
 have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
 repeal of any rule or regulation necessary  for  the  implementation  of
 this  act  on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
 on or before such effective date.