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Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to acknowledging that the institution of slavery was an appalling tragedy in the history of this state
In Senate Committee · Investigations And Government Operations · Sponsor Keith L.T. Wright
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S1272
Title of bill
An act to amend chapter 137 of the laws of 1817 relating to slaves and servants, in relation to acknowledging the tragedy of slavery in New York state
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill acknowledges the tragedy of slavery in New York state and offers a formal apology from the State of New York for its role in perpetuating slavery.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. New York state government formally acknowledges and apologizes for the legalization and perpetuation of slavery and the slave trade in New York state.
Justification
For more than two hundred years slavery existed in what became New York state. New York state government not only legalized the enslavement of Africans and their descendants, but also enacted "slave codes," taxes on the sale of enslaved persons and fines payable to the local government or poor house administrators for violations of the "slave codes." In chapter 137 of the laws of 1 817, for example, New York state government provided for the gradual emancipation of enslaved persons by July 4, 1827. This statute however, also provided penalties for harboring an enslaved person or servant, and permitted an enslaved person to be abandoned at age 21 with certification by local government.
As the recently held World Conference Against Racism (Durban, South Africa, 2002) proclaimed in its final document, "... slavery and the slave trade are a crime against humanity and should always have been so.. York apologize for New York's role in the enslavement of Africans and their descendants.
Prior legislative history
2011 - S.1374, Referred to Investigations & Government Operations 2009 - S.5646, Referred to Investigations & Government Operations 2007 - A.273B 2005 - A.7327
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This bill is effective immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.