NY lawmakers pass Clean Slate Act bill to seal most criminal records
New York Passes Controversial Clean Slate Act, But with Exceptions
The Clean Slate Act, which automatically seals most criminal records, has been passed by both houses of the state Legislature. During a marathon session late on Friday night, lawmakers voted to adopt the bill, which still must be signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul. The legislation wipes a New Yorker’s conviction record clean three years after sentencing for misdemeanors, and eight years for felonies. However, exceptions are made for “Class A” felonies, including murder, terrorism, kidnapping, and many sex crimes, which will not be sealed. Drug-related felonies will be wiped clean.
Supporters of the bill argue that it’s necessary to help ex-convicts rejoin society after serving their sentences. On the other hand, critics believe it has nothing to do with giving second chances and will only make New Yorkers less safe. Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (R-Staten Island) said: “This is simply an attempt to mislead potential employers, landlords and the general public about a person’s history.” Governor Hochul has yet to say whether she’ll support the bill.
In other business, a proposal to allow New York City to lower speed limits to 20 m.p.h. remained stalled on Saturday in the state Assembly, despite sailing through the state Senate. However, lawmakers passed legislation to make Diwali, a major Hindu religious festival observed in October or November as designated by the Indian calendar, a New York City school holiday. They also passed a bill to make Lunar New Year, celebrated in January or February, a statewide holiday.
FAQs:
What is the Clean Slate Act?
The Clean Slate Act automatically seals most criminal records after three years for misdemeanors and eight years for felonies, allowing ex-convicts to rejoin society after serving their sentences.
What are the exceptions to the Clean Slate Act?
Most “Class A” felonies, including murder, terrorism, kidnapping, and many sex crimes, will not be sealed. Drug-related felonies will be wiped clean.
What do supporters of the Clean Slate Act say?
They argue that the law is necessary to help ex-convicts rejoin society after serving their sentences.
What do critics of the Clean Slate Act say?
Critics believe that it has nothing to do with giving second chances and will only make New Yorkers less safe. They say that it’s an attempt to mislead potential employers, landlords, and the general public about a person’s history.
Has the Clean Slate Act become law?
No, the Clean Slate Act has been passed by both houses of the state Legislature, but it still needs to be signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul, who has yet to say whether she’ll support the final version of the bill.
What other legislation has New York passed recently?
New York lawmakers have passed bills to make Diwali, a major Hindu religious festival, and Lunar New Year, a holiday celebrated in January or February, a New York City school holiday and statewide holiday, respectively.
Most Criminal Records to be Sealed as NY Legislators Pass Clean Slate Act Bill
After much debate, the Clean Slate Act, a controversial bill aimed at automatically sealing most criminal records in the state of New York, has been passed by the state Legislature. The legislation is still waiting to be signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Under the bill, a New Yorker’s conviction record will be cleaned three years after sentencing for misdemeanors and eight years after sentencing for felonies, with exceptions made for “Class A” felonies such as murder, terrorism, kidnapping and many sex crimes, which won’t be sealed. Drug-related felonies will be wiped clean. Supporters of the bill believe that it will help ex-convicts reintegrate into society after serving their sentences.
Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (R-Staten Island) is among those who oppose the bill. He believes that it has nothing to do with offering second chances and everything to do with making New Yorkers less safe. According to Tannousis, this legislation does not allow employers or landlords or the general public to know a person’s criminal history, which he believes is misleading.
The bill is yet to gain Hochul’s approval.
In other news, the state Assembly has stalled a proposal to allow New York City to lower speed limits to 20 m.p.h., despite sailing through the state Senate. A bill to make Diwali, a major Hindu religious festival, a New York City school holiday, has been passed by lawmakers, and a separate bill has been passed to make Lunar New Year, celebrated in January or February, a statewide holiday.