NY lawmakers approve Clean Slate Act to automatically seal old criminal records.
The Clean Slate Act, a controversial bill that automatically seals most criminal records, has passed both houses of the New York State Legislature. The legislation wipes a New Yorker's conviction record clean three years after sentencing for misdemeanors and eight years for felonies, with exceptions for most "Class A" felonies and drug-related felonies. Supporters say it helps ex-cons rejoin society, while opponents argue it misleads potential employers and landlords. The bill still needs to be signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul.