New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation that will expand the number of judges appointed and elected statewide in an effort to help reduce the case backlog in family and civil courts, her office announced Wednesday.

The new law will increases the number of family and civil court judges by 28. Two will be assigned to Nassau County, two will be assigned to Suffolk County, and one additional judge will be assigned in each of the following counties: Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Erie, Jefferson, Rensselaer, Rockland and Westchester.

In addition, 16 judges will be added for New York City, including citywide positions that will be distributed across the five boroughs at the discretion of the mayor.

The legislation aims to ease backlogs and delays throughout the family court process and expedite proceedings.

“Civil and family courts adjudicate some of the most sensitive issues New Yorkers face, and for too long, backlogs and delays have inhibited their ability to function effectively,” Hochul said in a statement. “This legislation gives our courts the tools to tackle the case backlog and carry out the fair and efficient justice system New Yorkers deserve.”