New York Governor Signs Groundbreaking Clean Slate Act for Conviction Sealing

NEW YORK- New York Governor Kathy Hochul has enacted a transformative law, the Clean Slate Act, enabling the sealing of eligible misdemeanor and felony convictions, a move poised to reshape the landscape of criminal justice in the state. The bill, which was signed on Thursday, stipulates that eligible misdemeanor convictions can be sealed after three years, and certain felony convictions after eight years, contingent upon the individual’s release from incarceration.

During the signing ceremony, Governor Hochul underscored the law’s dual role in enhancing public safety and promoting economic recovery. “The best crime-fighting tool is a good-paying job. That’s why I support giving New Yorkers a clean slate after they’ve paid their debt to society and gone years without an additional offense,” Hochul commented, highlighting the current worker shortage in New York, with over 450,000 job openings. This new legislation, she noted, will assist businesses in finding qualified workers essential for growth and expansion.

The Clean Slate Act has received widespread acclaim from various sectors, including law enforcement officials, business and labor leaders, state and local lawmakers, and civil rights advocates. Reverend Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, hailed the bill’s approval as “a momentous day for the state of New York,” emphasizing the importance of economic and racial justice in community safety.

Echoing Sharpton’s sentiments, Hazel Dukes, president of the New York chapter of the NAACP, labeled the legislation a “landmark step forward.” Dukes pointed out the disproportionate impact of overincarceration on communities of color and the lingering hardships faced by individuals who have served their sentences yet struggle to secure employment or housing.

New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman also praised the bill, noting its potential to benefit millions of New Yorkers currently hampered by past criminal convictions. Lieberman emphasized the need for further reforms to protect and support formerly incarcerated individuals, particularly those from Black and Brown communities historically targeted by over-policing.

The Clean Slate Act is set to take effect in one year. Governor Hochul’s office anticipates that the State Office of Court Administration will require up to three years to fully implement the processes necessary to identify and seal all eligible records. This landmark legislation represents a significant stride in addressing the long-term consequences of criminal convictions and lays the groundwork for further reforms in the state’s criminal justice system.