Section 270.16. Capital cases; individual questioning for racial bias

1.  In any case in which the crime charged may be punishable by death,
  the court shall, upon  motion  of  either  party,  permit  the  parties,
  commencing   with   the   people,  to  examine  the  prospective  jurors
  individually and outside the presence of the  other  prospective  jurors
  regarding  their  qualifications to serve as jurors. Each party shall be
  afforded a fair opportunity to question a prospective juror  as  to  any
  unexplored matter affecting his or her qualifications, including without
  limitation the possibility of racial bias on the part of the prospective
  juror, but the court shall not permit questioning that is repetitious or
  irrelevant,  or questions as to a prospective juror's knowledge of rules
  of law. If necessary to prevent improper questioning as to  any  matter,
  the  court  shall  personally  examine the prospective jurors as to that
  matter. The scope of such examination shall be within the discretion  of
  the  court.  After  the  parties  have concluded their examinations of a
  prospective juror, the court may ask such further questions as it  deems
  proper regarding the qualifications of the prospective juror.
    2.  The proceedings provided for in this section shall be conducted on
  the record; provided, however, that upon motion of either party, and for
  good  cause  shown,  the  court  may direct that all or a portion of the
  record of such proceedings be sealed.