New York Clean Slate Act CPL 160.57
Effective: Nov 16, 2024
The New York Clean Slate Act, passed in June 2023 and signed in November 2023 takes effect November 16, 2024.
● The Clean Slate Act seals eligible misdemeanor convictions after three years from completion of a sentence, and eight years for eligible felonies.
●The New York State Human Rights Law has been amended to prohibit discrimination based on a sealed conviction, subject to limited exceptions.
Sealing will not apply to sex offenses or Class A felonies The Clean Slaten Act contains exceptions, such as in connection with state and federal laws requiring criminal background checks for licenses and certain employment with responsibility for the safety and well-being of children or adolescents, elderly individuals, individuals with disabilities, or other vulnerable populations.
Effective November 16, 2024, the New York Clean Slate Act will limit the criminal conviction history reported to employers by background check companies. The new law allows for civil action by any individual who has a sealed conviction reported or used in violation of this act.