ASSEMBLY MEMBERS SANDY GALEF, GEORGE LATIMER, AND MIKE SPANO URGED TO “REPEAL THE SEAL” ON CRIMINAL RECORDS

New legislation seals criminal records of drug felons enabling them to work unchecked in day care centers, nursing homes, schools and banks

Albany, NY— A new law which took effect June 8th would seal the criminal records of felons convicted of drug-related offenses allowing them to land jobs in day care centers, hospitals, nursing homes, banks and in schools without employers knowing their criminal histories.

The new law (A.156-B) was part of the Rockefeller drug reforms voted on by Assembly members Sandy Galef (D-90th A.D.), George Latimer (D-91st A.D.) and Mike Spano (D-93rd A.D.) in this year’s state budget.

A loophole in the law allows criminals convicted of 51 separate crimes, ranging from petit larceny to drug trafficking to get their records sealed. This means a day care provider or other employer would not have access to the criminal convictions of potential employees when doing a background check.

“No matter where one stands on the Rockefeller drug reforms, it’s common sense that this is a dangerous loophole that could put public safety at risk,” said Kathleen Hennessey, Spokeswoman for the New York Republican Assembly Campaign Committee (RACC).

“Assembly members Galef, Latimer and Spano voted yes on a budget that caused this mess and now it’s time for them to clean it up by repealing the seal on criminal convictions,” concluded Hennessey.