A newly passed bill is giving formerly incarcerated New Yorkers a second chance to re-enter and contribute to society.  

The Clean Slate Act aims to seal the criminal records of former inmates who have not gotten back in trouble with the law for a certain period. Misdemeanors would be sealed after three years, and felony convictions would be sealed after eight years once an individual has completed their full sentence.  

For Bronx residents like David Boyd, who now works as a youth mentor at Bronx Connect, getting a job after being incarcerated was an uphill battle that lasted nearly a decade.  

“Certain jobs, when they did a background check, I wasn’t able to obtain employment,” said Boyd. 

State Assembly Member Chanel Jackson says this measure stands to help around 2.3 million New Yorkers.  

“We want to make sure that if we seal the records, they have new opportunities to take care of themselves and their families,” said Jackson.  

Supporters are now urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the bill into law.