Gov. Hochul Signs Landmark Clean Slate Bill into Law
More than 2.3 Million New Yorkers are on deck to receive a shot at redemption
ALBANY, New York - Earlier today, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed A1029C, the New York Clean Slate Act, into law. The measure gained legislative approval in June 2023 and provides a path for clearing eligible conviction records for more than 2.3 million people who have completed their sentence and remained crime-free for a period of time determined by the statute. New York is the 12th state to pass a record clearance law that meets The Clean Slate Initiative’s policy minimums.
Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative, issued the following statement after the New York Clean Slate Act was signed into law:
“After years of sustained advocacy and strong public demand, New York is on the path to ensuring that a past mistake will not forever foreclose the opportunity for people to build a better life for themselves and their families.
“Soon, millions of New Yorkers will no longer be defined by their records and will have the opportunity to contribute to their community, have a fair opportunity to work, get an education, and achieve their full potential.
“This common-sense public policy will help reduce recidivism, increase public safety, and stimulate the state’s economy by expanding the workforce of qualified and skilled workers who have previously been denied opportunities because of a past conviction.
“We applaud the hundreds of community partners who fought tirelessly to advance this policy, as well as state Senator Zellnor Myrie and Assembly Member Catalina Cruz for their leadership in the state legislature, and Governor Hochul for signing The New York Clean Slate Act into law.”
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Additional Information
New York’s Clean Slate law will automatically clear peoples’ conviction records once they become eligible. More information on the law is available on Clean Slate NY’s website. The Clean Slate New York coalition includes Bronx Defenders, Center for Community Alternatives, Community Service Society of New York, Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition, Legal Action Center, Legal Aid Society, and several other community partners.
New York joins eleven states that have passed comprehensive 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
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.
