New York Becomes 12th State to Pass ‘Clean Slate’ Record Clearance Policy
Once signed into law, The Clean Slate Act will unlock opportunities, benefit businesses, and enhance public safety
ALBANY, New York - This evening, the New York State House and Assembly approved A1029C, the New York Clean Slate Act, sending the measure to Governor Kathy Hochul. After the vote, Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI), a national bipartisan organization that supported the New York effort, released the following statement:
“We applaud New York lawmakers for reaching an agreement and supporting this common-sense policy. Over 2.3 million people have a record in New York, but only .2% of eligible people have cleared their records under the current system. This Clean Slate bill will automatically clear records for anyone who is eligible, helping more New Yorkers gain a second chance at a better future.
“Thanks to the New York Clean Slate coalition for bringing together scores of organizations, clergy leaders, businesses, labor unions, service providers, and thousands of impacted people to make this victory possible. In true Clean Slate spirit, these organizers never gave up — despite years of setbacks on this bill.
“Today, millions of New Yorkers and their families can finally look forward to getting the employment, housing, and education opportunities that enable them to participate in their communities without being held back by their past mistakes.
“The Clean Slate Act provides widespread benefits that give everyone something to celebrate. Employers who continue to face a tight labor market can look forward to more easily finding the staff they need to provide goods and services to their customers. Law enforcement and public safety advocates can look forward to reduced recidivism and safer streets. Families can look forward to increased security and opportunity rather than suffer the generational impacts of having a past record that becomes a life sentence to poverty and stigma.
“Congratulations to our partners and allies for making New York the 12th state in the nation to pass a comprehensive Clean Slate law. We look forward to working together for the effective implementation of automatic record clearance policy.”
Additional Information
Senate Bill 211 (S.211 / A.1029) is a state-level Clean Slate bill that will automatically clear a New Yorker’s conviction record once they become eligible. More information on the bill is available on Clean Slate NY’s website. New joins eleven states that have passed Clean Slate laws - Pennsylvania (2018), Utah (2019), New Jersey (2019), Michigan (2020), Connecticut (2020), Delaware (2021), Virginia (2021), Oklahoma (2022), Colorado (2022), California (2022), Minnesota (2023). More information is available at cleanslateinitiative.org/states
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Editor's Note: Clean Slate laws are gaining popularity in states across the country. Since this press release was published, the number of states that have passed Clean Slate policies may have changed. For the most up-to-date number of Clean Slate states, please check cleanslateinitiative.org/states.
