Gov. Kathy Hochul and state legislative leaders all agree: They’re nearing a deal on a landmark bill that would automatically seal criminal convictions in an effort to help people find work after they’ve paid their debt to society.
The measure — which is supported by a broad swath of criminal-justice reform advocates, labor unions and business organizations — would seal most misdemeanor and felony records after a person has completed their incarceration and following a multiyear waiting period, making them unavailable to prospective employers and the general public, in most cases.