A1029C

The New York State Senate passed the Clean Slate Act on a 37-25 party-line vote, advancing legislation that would automatically seal criminal records for an estimated 1 million New Yorkers with conviction histories. A1029C, sponsored by Sen. Zellnor Myrie, would seal misdemeanor convictions three years after sentence imposition and felony convictions after eight years, provided individuals remain charge-free. Class A felonies are excluded except certain drug offenses, and individuals on parole remain ineligible. The bill represents a significant shift in criminal justice policy, with supporters arguing it addresses systemic inequalities and removes barriers to employment, housing, and education for people who have served their sentences. "Clean Slate is a jobs bill, it's an education bill, it is a housing bill," Myrie said, citing statistics showing 73 percent of people with conviction records have remained crime-free for at least 10 years. Opponents, led by Sen. Palumbo and Sen. Murray, raised concerns about victim protections and the message the bill sends to crime victims. Sen. Murray argued the legislation prioritizes criminals over victims who "don't get a second chance" and "don't get to seal their memories away." The bill includes a civil liability shield protecting employers from negligence claims related to sealed records, a provision that drew criticism from Sen. Borrello as a "gift to big corporations." The Assembly passed identical legislation earlier in the day. The bill takes effect one year after enactment.