As the clock was running out on the state legislature’s session in June, lawmakers passed the “Less is More” bill but were unable to get another piece of criminal justice legislation — the “Clean Slate” bill — through the state Assembly.

“All of the parties are in agreement," Democratic Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz of Queens. "The clock is ticking and we ran out of time.”

What You Need To Know

  • With Hochul signing “Less is More” there was another bill known as “Clean Slate” that failed in the Assembly at the 11th hour earlier this year

  • “Clean Slate” would expunge certain criminal record after an individual is released from prison

  • Another bill known as “Elder Parole” never made it out of committee

Supporters of the bill say they expect it to pass early next year, when lawmakers return to Albany. The legislation would expunge records for certain offenses and give formerly incarcerated people a second chance. 

“They were convicted of a crime, they’ve gone to jail, they’ve paid their dues," said Cruz. "And now its about making sure that that criminal record isn’t a gigantic shadow preventing them from getting jobs and housing, which is generally the most difficult piece of getting your life back together once your come out of jail.”

But critics say the "Clean Slate" bill, and other reforms pushed by Democrats in both houses, have made New Yorkers less safe — as crime rates have risen in New York City, and in other cities throughout the state. 

“We have an obligation to protect the public. And increasingly we seem intent on abdicating that responsibility," Republican State Sen. Minority Leader Rob Ortt said. "The "Clean Slate" bill would provide no ability for employers to know who they are hiring. You could be a bank manager hiring someone who was convicted of embezzlement and you wouldn’t know that.”

Another bill that was considered by the legislature but didn’t get very far was the “Elder Parole” legislation.

“Anyone who has already been in prison for more than 25 years and has served at least 15 years of their sentence and is elderly, defined as 55 years or older to be considered for parole in New York State," said Democratic Assemblywoman Carmen De La Rosa.

The "Elder Parole" bill never made it out of committee, but was pushed by advocates. There are numerous others bills that would further reform the criminal justice system likely to be considered next year.