The heads of state agencies charged with sealing about 5 million criminal records did not ask New York lawmakers to target additional funding in the upcoming budget to complete the task, and maintain they have the required resources to get it done by the mandated deadline.

A policy known as the Clean Slate Law makes 5 million criminal records in the state eligible to be sealed by Nov. 16, 2027. 

The statute automatically seals criminal records three years after sentencing for a misdemeanors, and eight years after sentencing or release from prison, for felony convictions, whichever is later.

It does not apply to class A felonies or crimes that required a person to register as a sex offender.

"The CleanSslate issue is easier because we're all over that," state Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas told lawmakers at a budget hearing last month.

Zayas testified the state Office of Court Administration, which is leading the massive record-sealing process, has what it needs to implement the law over the next two years and eight months.

The court system will work together with the Division of Criminal Justice Services to share data. A spokesperson with DCJS said Friday the court system has not yet sent the department any records to be sealed.

Clean Slate sponsor Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz said the law will help formerly incarcerated people retain employment and housing and not be judged by their record.

"The injustice system can touch all of our lives, no matter how much money you make or the color of your skin," the assemblywoman said. "And everyone deserves that second chance."

Cruz, a Queens Democrat, said several legislative staffers have told her the law would directly impact them or someone they loved.

Funding for staff or technology to implement Clean Slate is not expected to be part of upcoming budget talks, but Cruz said she's ready to advocate for more support if needed to make sure agencies seal the records on time.

"[The state agencies] actually said, 'We’re good,' so if they come back to us and say, 'We need more fulltime employees, we need more funding,' I am ready to advocate for them to make sure they get it," Cruz said.

Republicans fought, and voted against the measure, arguing it would negatively impact public safety.

But state business leaders have long backed the policy, and say it would boost a suffering workforce — especially in banks, construction and retail.

"There's a significant amount of time to be eligible for this when you are no longer incarcerated," Paul Zuber, the executive vice president of the Business Council of New York State, told Spectrum News 1. "You are really talking about people who have changed their lives.

Zuber pointed to data that shows similar record-sealing laws have been successful in other states, including red states.

The Business Council is working to educate its 3,400 members, but particularly small and mid-sized companies, that may not know about the change.

"The best thing we all can do is implement the law and make sure our statistics are coming back in a positive way," Zuber said.