Relates to the definition of "direct relationship" for the purposes of article 23-A of the correction law regarding certain licensures and employment

Latest action Apr 23, 2026

Relates to the definition of "direct relationship" for the purposes of article 23-A of the correction law regarding licensures and employment of persons previously convicted of one or more criminal offenses.

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Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A7147, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Correction Law.

Committee

Correction · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Crime Victims, Crime And Correction · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

This bill curtails unlawful discriminatory practices against people with criminal records and helps ensure that employers abide by the provisions of Article 23-A of the correction law.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Cosponsors

Larinda Hooks, Luis R. Sepúlveda and 1 more on Agora

Democratic3

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Jamaal Bailey says this is needed

Upon returning to the community, formerly incarcerated individuals are expected to find and maintain gainful employment. Finding effective ways to manage their reentry into the workforce is critical to promoting public safety, curbing recidivism rates, and curbing the high costs of re-incarceration. Unfortunately, many employers maintain blanket barri- ers to employment based solely on criminal conviction records, even when the conviction may be completely unrelated to the job sought and no threat to the public or property is present. The law currently defines a "direct relationship" as requiring an examination of the "direct bear- ing" the criminal conduct has on the fitness to perform the job or get the license. This bill will help to ensure that employers abide by the standards of Article 23-A and do not automatically disqualify applicants based solely on a criminal conviction.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Apr 23, 2026
Advanced to Third Reading CAL.355
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING CAL.355
NY Assembly
Apr 21, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORRECTION
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CRIME VICTIMS, CRIME AND CORRECTION
NY Senate
Mar 20, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORRECTION
NY Assembly

Show full history (1 earlier event)

Jan 8, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CRIME VICTIMS, CRIME AND CORRECTION
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 30, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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