(NEW YORK CITY) - Governor Hochul has signed the Clean Slate Act, legislation that will help millions of people support their families, boost New York’s economy and help create safer and stronger communities.

Clean Slate will expand the workforce, address New York’s labor shortage, and boost New York’s economy.  According to a recent analysis, Clean Slate would generate an estimated annual earnings boost to the State of $12.6 billion.

Nationally, excluding individuals with conviction records from the workforce costs the economy as much as $87 billion annually in lost GDP - a devastating loss with a real human toll on households, individuals, Workers, businesses and families.  

Because of racism in New York’s criminal legal system, these civil consequences resulting from old conviction records disproportionately impact Black and Brown New Yorkers and deepen already-existing racial inequalities in civic life.  As recent data show, 80% of individuals in New York City with conviction records are Black or Latinx, which mirrors statewide trends. 

The Bill has the support of a number of Unions, including 32BJ Service Employees International Union (SIEU), the Hotel & Gaming Trades (HTC), American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 37, 1199 SEIU, Local 338 Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU)/United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW), Mason Tenders’ District Council, Laborers’ Local 79, and the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA).

Laborers' Local 79 Business Manager Mike Prohaska: "We applaud Governor Kathy Hochul for signing the Clean Slate Act and for working with the State Legislature to implement this important new law.  We're proud to have been a visible and vocal member of the Clean Slate NY Coalition, partnering with other Labor Unions, business groups and Criminal Justice Reformers to make the Clean Slate Act a reality.  This vital law will enable more than (2.3 million) New Yorkers with old conviction records to obtain jobs, including career-oriented Union jobs in fields like construction.  Sealing old conviction records will help formerly incarcerated New Yorkers and those impacted by the criminal justice system re-enter our State's economy, transform their lives and pursue a better future.  These individuals - many of them Black and Latino - will now be able not only to obtain jobs, but to stay employed, move up the income ladder and build generational wealth.”

1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East Political Director Helen Schaub: “The signing of this Bill into law by Governor Hochul will help tackle long-standing racial inequities in our Criminal Justice System while also expanding the State’s workforce at a time of significant shortages.  This new law will help eliminate barriers to jobs, housing and education for thousands of New Yorkers who deserve the opportunity to move forward with their lives.  We applaud all of the grassroots activists for their tireless work in making this proposal a reality.”

Hotel & Gaming Trades Council President Rich Maroko: "HTC applauds Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this historic Civil Justice Reform Bill.  We are proud to stand with Governor Hochul and with the Clean Slate coalition whose efforts were critical in passing this important legislation, which will foster increased stability within New York communities and contribute to a more robust economy in our State."

New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO President Vincent Alvarez: “The Clean Slate legislation will help uplift thousands of New York families by allowing individuals who have paid their debt to society to become productive members of their communities and help to strengthen our City’s economy. The New York City Labor Movement strongly supports Clean Slate and we applaud Governor Hochul along with our State Legislature for bringing it across the finish line.”

AFSCME District Council 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido: "We applaud Governor Hochul for signing the Clean Slate Act into law.  No one should suffer a lifetime of closed doors for past mistakes, especially those who have served their time.  With this legislation, more New Yorkers can now live without discrimination for their history and move toward a future with new opportunities to contribute to society.”

CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis G. Trainor: “All New Yorkers deserve the opportunity to join the workforce and provide for their families.  I commend Governor Hochul on signing the Clean Slate Act and ensuring that New Yorkers who have paid their debt to society are able to contribute to their communities and participate in our economy.  This important law will benefit not just millions of individual New Yorkers, but strengthen our state as a whole.”

For More, Go To: What They Are Saying: Governor Hochul Signs The Clean Slate Act | Governor Kathy Hochul (ny.gov) And www.communityalternatives.org

Artwork Courtesy Of The New York Women’s Foundation.