(Albany, NY) – Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl
Heastie today announced that the Legislature will pass the Clean Slate Act (S.7551-A/A.1029-
C), which would establish the automatic sealing of certain conviction records after a specific
period of time for individuals that have completed their sentences and meet certain eligibility
requirements.
Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins said, “Clean Slate offers a genuine second chance to
individuals who have fully paid their debt to society, enabling them to restart their lives and
become positive contributors to their communities. By passing Clean Slate, we affirm our belief
in redemption and improve our society by providing formerly incarcerated individuals a better
opportunity to enter the workforce and establish stable lives. My appreciation goes to Senator
Zellnor Myrie for championing this bill in the Senate, and to the New York State Legislature for
their support in passing this vital legislation that will empower thousands of New Yorkers to
forge a better future.”
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Speaker Heastie said, “The Assembly Majority is committed to building a criminal justice
system focused on rehabilitation over punishment. This bill will not only help us on that mission,
but it will provide a solution to the workforce issues many local businesses continue to face. The
Clean Slate Act will give millions of New Yorkers a second chance to do the right thing and give
back to their community once again.”
Senate bill sponsor Senator Zellnor Myrie said, “I’m deeply proud to serve in a legislative
body that recognizes the economic, moral and public safety imperatives for passing Clean Slate.
This legislation makes it clear that New Yorkers who have served their sentences and returned to
the community owe no other debts before they can rebuild their lives, obtain housing and
education, and secure gainful employment. Clean Slate means stronger, safer, and more stable
communities. I’m grateful to my colleagues and to the broad coalition of New Yorkers who have
spoken up for this bill, and I look forward to getting it over the finish line.”
Assembly bill sponsor Assemblymember Catalina Cruz said, “There are millions of people
across the state who have served their sentences, completed parole, and are now ready to move
on with their lives. I am proud to have sponsored this legislation that gives them the opportunity
to start a new chapter. Who can argue against giving someone a second chance when they’ve
already paid their dues to society?”
The Clean Slate Act provides for the automatic sealing of misdemeanor and felony criminal
convictions upon meeting the following requirements:
● For a misdemeanor conviction, at least three years have passed since the individual’s
release from incarceration or the imposition of sentence, if there was no sentence of
incarceration;
● For a felony conviction, at least eight years have passed from the date the individual was
last released from incarceration;
● The individual does not have a criminal charge pending; and
● The individual is not currently under the supervision of any probation or parole
department.
Class A felonies for which a maximum life imprisonment sentence may be imposed and
convictions requiring registration as a sex offender are not eligible for sealing.
The law would allow access to or the release of these sealed records to:
● Courts and prosecutors during a new criminal case;
● Law enforcement officers under the scope of an investigation;
● Any entity that is required under state or federal law to conduct a fingerprint-based
background check or an entity authorized to conduct a fingerprint-based background
check where a job applicant would be working with children, the elderly or vulnerable
adults; and
● A licensing officer processing a firearm license application.
Additionally, the law will not affect or invalidate any active order of protection, require the
destruction of DNA submitted to the statewide DNA database as part of a conviction, or require
that DMV records be destroyed or sealed.
The Clean Slate Act will help prevent discrimination among formerly incarcerated New Yorkers
to help give them a better opportunity to secure a job and find stable housing. This legislation
will also boost the state’s economy and workforce, as more qualifying New Yorkers with past
convictions will be able to enter the labor market and increase their earnings. Additionally, the
law provides for keeping people’s conviction records accessible for certain law enforcement
purposes and other necessary needs under specific circumstances. New York will be the 11th
state to enact legislation that provides for the automatic sealing of criminal convictions.
The Clean Slate Coalition said, “The Clean Slate Act is historic legislation that will bring relief
to millions of New Yorkers who have been excluded from economic opportunity, stable housing,
and higher education for far too long. With unprecedented support across the state, now is the
time to enact Clean Slate into law. We thank the Legislature for their commitment to this
important bill which will allow New Yorkers to support their families, create stronger and safer
communities, and boost our economy. While more work remains to be done to end perpetual
punishment for all people, we call for the legislature to pass the Clean Slate Act and the
Governor to sign the bill without delay.”
Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney said, “The passage of the Clean Slate Act is a
major win for public safety, justice and fairness. New Yorkers who have criminal convictions
can finally rebuild their lives and will no longer face a lifetime of perpetual punishment that
locks them out of jobs, housing, and education. I thank the impacted individuals and advocacy
groups who have championed this bill for the past several years and our legislative leaders for
coming together to ensure our communities will grow stronger.”
Eric Gonzalez, Brooklyn District Attorney said, “People with criminal convictions who have
been held accountable and paid their debt to society should not have the doors of opportunity
closed to them for the rest of their lives. The Clean Slate bill is a sensible solution that allows
these individuals to reclaim their lives by having access to jobs, education, and stable housing. I
commend the Legislature and the Governor for negotiating a bill that appropriately balances
fairness and public safety.”
Darrel Clark, Bronx District Attorney said, “When people serve their sentence and remain
law-abiding, Clean Slate, for those who are eligible, will help keep them on track by sealing a
criminal record, which removes potential barriers to housing, employment, education, and social
services. Equal access to opportunity after criminal justice involvement serves us all by reducing
the chances of recidivism thereby improving public safety.”
Melinda Katz, Queens District Attorney said, “Our communities are safer when those with
prior convictions, who have served their time and obeyed the law for many years thereafter, are
allowed an opportunity to earn a paycheck and build a better future. While prosecutors and law
enforcement will continue to have access to prior records so that we may do our jobs effectively,
this law strikes the right balance between public safety and rehabilitation for those who choose a
better path.”
Elizabeth Kocienda, director of advocacy, New York City Bar Association said, “The New
York City Bar Association continues its support for passage of the Clean Slate Act and we
applaud policymakers for their steadfast efforts to deliver a bill that both the Legislature and the
Governor can support. While the bill is not as expansive as we originally supported, we join the
diverse coalition of groups and businesses – including 49 law firms – in supporting the amended
Act. It will allow millions of New Yorkers with criminal conviction histories the opportunity to
move forward, achieve financial and housing security, and become vital participants in New
York’s economy. As City Bar President Susan J. Kohlmann wrote in the New York Law Journal
in March, ‘The City Bar supports innovative legislative solutions to ameliorate those
consequences that result in essentially a civil life sentence experienced by individuals with
conviction histories. The Clean Slate Act is one such solution.”
