JustLeadershipUSA Applauds the Passage of Clean Slate NY, Urges Gov. Hochul to Sign Immediately

On Friday night, the New York State Legislature passed the Clean Slate Act and sent it to Gov. Kathy Hochul to be signed into law.

In response, JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSA) President and CEO DeAnna Hoskins issued the following statement:

“JustLeadershipUSA applauds the New York State Legislature for taking this crucial step to open the relief valve to self-sufficiency for millions of New Yorkers. After many years of advocacy from citizens impacted by the criminal justice system, New York has recognized the importance of economic and housing justice for all.

“We now call on Gov. Hochul to sign this bill immediately. When signed into law, the Clean Slate Act will seal misdemeanor convictions after three years and felony convictions after eight years following the completion of a sentence and no further contact with the criminal justice system. It will remove the roadblocks to jobs and housing for 2.3 million New Yorkers who have been unjustly denied access for too long — 80% of which are disproportionately Black and Brown individuals.”

“Former JLUSA team member Marvin Mayfield was a leader in this fight, when he safely passed away earlier this year. As Assembly member Catalina Cruz said on Friday, ‘Marvin, we didn’t give up.’”