What's happening
This bill requires public agencies and private employers to provide written reasons for any adverse action taken against individuals with prior convictions.
Why it matters
Expands transparency and accountability. By requiring written explanations for any adverse action—not just outright denial—taken against individuals with prior convictions, the bill makes it harder for employers and agencies to act arbitrarily or discriminatorily.
Empowers individuals with criminal records. People affected can better understand the specific reasons for negative decisions, which can help them address barriers, improve future applications, or challenge decisions if discrimination is suspected.
Covers a wider range of employment consequences. The bill broadens the scope from just “denial” to include “adverse actions,” which may encompass demotions, suspensions, or other negative employment/license outcomes, potentially protecting more individuals from hidden or unexplained discrimination.
Promotes fairer reentry and rehabilitation. By clarifying decision-making, the legislation supports the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals, reinforcing fair chance hiring and reducing recidivism linked to employment barriers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Explain Job Denials to Ex-Offenders
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to correction
- Referred to correction
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4044
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 31, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN, O'DONNELL, AUBRY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to written statements upon any adverse action against any person previously convicted of a criminal offense
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 754 of the correction law, as added by chapter 931 of the laws of 1976, is amended to read as follows:
§ 754. Written statement upon denial of license or employment or other adverse action. At the request of any person previously convicted of one or more criminal offenses who has been denied a license or employment or against whom an adverse action has been taken with respect to a license or employment, a public agency or private employer shall provide, within thirty days of a request, a written statement setting forth the reasons for such denial or adverse action.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05023-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.