S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
338
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
(PREFILED)
January 6, 2021
___________
Introduced by Sen. PERSAUD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and
Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, the general obligations law and the
civil rights law, in relation to enacting the "second chance act"
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "second
chance act".
§ 2. The article heading of article 23-A of the correction law, as
added by chapter 931 of the laws of 1976, is amended to read as follows:
LICENSURE AND EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS [PREVIOUSLY]
CONVICTED OF ONE OR MORE CRIMINAL OFFENSES
§ 3. Section 751 of the correction law, as amended by chapter 284 of
the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
§ 751. Applicability. The provisions of this article shall apply to
any application by any person for a license or employment at any public
or private employer, who has previously been convicted of one or more
criminal offenses in this state or in any other jurisdiction, and to any
license or employment held by any person whose conviction of one or more
criminal offenses in this state or in any other jurisdiction preceded OR
SUCCEEDED such employment or granting of a license, except where a
mandatory forfeiture, disability or bar to employment is imposed by law,
and has not been removed by an executive pardon, certificate of relief
from disabilities or certificate of good conduct. Nothing in this arti-
cle shall be construed to affect any right an employer may have with
respect to an intentional misrepresentation in connection with an appli-
cation for employment made by a prospective employee or previously made
by a current employee.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02835-01-1
S. 338 2
§ 4. Section 752 of the correction law, as amended by chapter 284 of
the laws of 2007, is amended to read as follows:
§ 752. Unfair discrimination against persons previously convicted of
one or more criminal offenses prohibited. No application for any license
or employment, and no employment or license held by an individual, to
which the provisions of this article are applicable, shall be denied or
acted upon adversely by reason of the [individual's] INDIVIDUAL BEING
CONVICTED OF ONE OR MORE CRIMINAL OFFENSES OR having been previously
convicted of one or more criminal offenses, or by reason of a finding of
lack of "good moral character" when such finding is based upon the fact
that the individual has previously been convicted of one or more crimi-
nal offenses, unless:
(1) there is a direct relationship between one or more of the previous
criminal offenses and the specific license or employment sought or held
by the individual; or
(2) the issuance or continuation of the license or the granting or
continuation of the employment would involve an unreasonable risk to
property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the
general public.
§ 5. The correction law is amended by adding a new section 752-a to
read as follows:
§ 752-A. CONVICTION WHILE EMPLOYED OR LICENSED. 1. EXCEPT WHERE
CONTINUED LICENSURE OR EMPLOYMENT IS PROHIBITED BY LAW, NO PERSON WHO
HOLDS A LICENSE OR WHO IS EMPLOYED BY ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE EMPLOYER
SHALL HAVE SUCH LICENSE REVOKED OR SHALL BE DENIED CONTINUATION OR
RESUMPTION OF SUCH EMPLOYMENT BY REASON OF SUCH INDIVIDUAL HAVING BEEN
CONVICTED OF ONE OR MORE CRIMINAL OFFENSES, OR BY REASON OF A FINDING OF
A LACK OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER, WHEN SUCH FINDING IS BASED UPON THE FACT
THAT SUCH INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF ONE OR MORE CRIMINAL
OFFENSES, UNLESS:
(A) THERE IS A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ONE OR MORE OF THE CRIMINAL
OFFENSES AND THE SPECIFIC LICENSE OR EMPLOYMENT HELD BY SUCH INDIVIDUAL;
OR
(B) CONTINUATION OF THE LICENSE OR THE CONTINUATION OR RESUMPTION OF
SUCH EMPLOYMENT WOULD INVOLVE AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO PROPERTY OR TO THE
SAFETY OR WELFARE OF SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS OR THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
2. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, THE TERM "CONVICTED" SHALL MEAN A
CONVICTION FOR A CRIME OTHER THAN A CLASS B VIOLENT FELONY AS DEFINED IN
THE PENAL LAW, OR A CLASS A OR CLASS A-II FELONY AS DEFINED IN THE PENAL
LAW, OTHER THAN A CLASS A OR CLASS A-II FELONY AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE TWO
HUNDRED TWENTY OF THE PENAL LAW, OR AN OFFENSE IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION
WHICH INCLUDES ALL OF THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF ANY SUCH CRIME.
§ 6. Subdivision 1 of section 753 of the correction law, as added by
chapter 931 of the laws of 1976, paragraph (b) as amended by chapter 284
of the laws of 2007, is amended and a new subdivision 3 is added to read
as follows:
1. In making a determination pursuant to section seven hundred fifty-
two OR SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO-A of this [chapter] ARTICLE, the
public agency or private employer shall consider the following factors:
(a) The public policy of this state, as expressed in this act, to
encourage the licensure and employment of persons previously convicted
of one or more criminal offenses.
(b) The specific duties and responsibilities necessarily related to
the license or employment sought or held by the person.
S. 338 3
(c) The bearing, if any, the criminal offense or offenses for which
the person was previously convicted will have on his OR HER fitness or
ability to perform one or more such duties or responsibilities.
(d) The time which has elapsed since the occurrence of the criminal
offense or offenses.
(e) The age of the person at the time of occurrence of the criminal
offense or offenses.
(f) The seriousness of the offense or offenses.
(g) Any information produced by the person, or produced on his OR HER
behalf, INCLUDING in regard to his OR HER rehabilitation and good
conduct.
(h) The legitimate interest of the public agency or private employer
in protecting property, and the safety and welfare of specific individ-
uals or the general public.
3. EXCEPT WHERE CONTINUED LICENSURE OR EMPLOYMENT OF SUCH PERSON IS
PROHIBITED BY LAW UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, EACH PUBLIC AGENCY AND
PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY AND CORPORATION SHALL ADOPT A POLICY THAT
REQUIRES THE PUBLIC AGENCY OR PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY OR CORPORATION
TO PROVIDE SUCH CONVICTED PERSON WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT AN EXPLA-
NATION OF THE FACTS SURROUNDING THE OFFENSE AND CONVICTION AND ANY
OTHER INFORMATION SUCH PERSON DEEMS RELEVANT TO THE ISSUE, PRIOR TO
MAKING A DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO OR
SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO-A OF THIS ARTICLE. NOTHING IN THIS SUBDIVI-
SION SHALL PROHIBIT A PUBLIC AGENCY, PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY OR CORPO-
RATION DULY AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN THIS STATE FROM IMPOSING
SANCTIONS UPON A PERSON CONVICTED OF A CRIME IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF THE PUBLIC AGENCY OR PRIVATE
EMPLOYER.
§ 7. The general obligations law is amended by adding a new section
5-338 to read as follows:
§ 5-338. AGREEMENTS CONCERNING TERMINATION DUE TO CONVICTION. 1.
TERMINATION. EXCEPT WHERE CONTINUATION OF SUCH COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES ARE
PROHIBITED BY LAW UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, EVERY COVENANT, AGREEMENT OR
UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY OR
CORPORATION AND A PERSON OR PERSONS ENABLING SUCH PERSON OR PERSONS TO
CARRY OUT SPECIFIED COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES, WHICH INCLUDES A CLAUSE
REQUIRING THE AUTOMATIC TERMINATION OF THE COVENANT, AGREEMENT OR UNDER-
STANDING UPON A CONVICTION OF SUCH PERSON OR PERSONS SHALL BE DEEMED TO
BE VOID AS AGAINST PUBLIC POLICY AND WHOLLY UNENFORCEABLE.
2. EXPLANATION. EXCEPT WHERE CONTINUATION OF SUCH COVENANTS, AGREE-
MENTS OR UNDERSTANDINGS ARE PROHIBITED BY LAW UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES,
ALL COVENANTS, AGREEMENTS OR UNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN A GOVERNMENTAL
ENTITY, PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY OR CORPORATION AND A PERSON OR PERSONS
ENABLING SUCH PERSON OR PERSONS TO CARRY OUT SPECIFIED COMMERCIAL
ACTIVITIES SHALL INCLUDE AND EXTEND TO SUCH PERSON OR PERSONS THE RIGHT
TO AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT AN EXPLANATION OF THE FACTS SURROUNDING ANY
CONVICTION OR ALLEGED OFFENSE AS WELL AS ANY OTHER INFORMATION THE PARTY
DEEMS RELEVANT TO THE CONVICTION OR ALLEGED OFFENSE PRIOR TO ANY PARTY
TERMINATING A BUSINESS CONTRACT OR CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT DUE TO
A CONVICTION OR ALLEGED OFFENSE.
3. SANCTIONS. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PROHIBIT A GOVERNMENTAL
ENTITY, PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY OR CORPORATION FROM IMPOSING SANC-
TIONS UPON A PERSON OR PERSONS CONVICTED OF A CRIME IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTI-
TY, PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY OR CORPORATION. UNLESS OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED
S. 338 4
BY LAW, SUCH SANCTIONS SHALL NOT BE OF A DURATION THAT WOULD IN EFFECT
TERMINATE THE VIABILITY OF THE AFFILIATED BUSINESS.
4. COMPARABILITY. IF A REVIEW OF THE FACTS SHALL FIND THAT IN THE
HISTORY OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY OR CORPORATION,
A PERSON OR PERSONS HOLDING A SIMILAR LICENSE OR AGREEMENT TO DO BUSI-
NESS IN THE NAME OF THE PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY OR CORPORATION, WHO
WHILE HOLDING SUCH LICENSE OR PRIOR TO BEING GRANTED SUCH LICENSE, WAS
CONVICTED OF A FELONY OR ANY OFFENSE FOR WHICH THE PRIVATE BUSINESS
ENTITY OR CORPORATION COULD HAVE CLAIMED AND EXERCISED THE RIGHT TO
TERMINATE THE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP OR PERMIT TO ACT UNDER THE NAME OF
THE PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY OR CORPORATION, BUT SUCH PRIVATE BUSINESS
ENTITY OR CORPORATION, IN EXERCISE OF ITS DISCRETION, ALLOWED SUCH
PERSON OR PERSONS TO ACQUIRE OR CONTINUE TO HOLD AND EXERCISE SUCH
LICENSE AND AUTHORITY TO DO BUSINESS, AND THE PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY
OR CORPORATION TOOK NO ACTION TO TERMINATE SUCH AGREEMENT, AND THE
PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY OR CORPORATION DETERMINED NOT TO PROVIDE AN
EXTENSION OF FORGIVENESS AND A SECOND CHANCE, THE PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTI-
TY OR CORPORATION SHALL STATE WHY IT DETERMINED NOT TO GRANT SUCH SECOND
CHANCE TO SUCH PERSON AND THE BURDEN OF PROOF SHALL BE ON SUCH PRIVATE
BUSINESS ENTITY OR CORPORATION TO DEMONSTRATE WITH SUBSTANTIVE AND
CONVINCING PROOF HOW SUCH EXTENSION OF FORGIVENESS AND A SECOND CHANCE
WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE INTEREST OF THE PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY OR
CORPORATION.
§ 8. The civil rights law is amended by adding a new section 79-q to
read as follows:
§ 79-Q. RIGHT TO A REASONABLE REVIEW OF FACTS AND A REASONABLE CONSID-
ERATION FOR THE EXTENSION OF FORGIVENESS AND A SECOND CHANCE. EXCEPT
WHERE CONTINUATION OF SUCH CONTRACT IS PROHIBITED BY LAW UNDER SUCH
CIRCUMSTANCES, NO GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, PRIVATE BUSINESS ENTITY OR CORPO-
RATION SHALL TERMINATE, CANCEL OR REFUSE TO RENEW ANY CONTRACT BASED ON
AN INDIVIDUAL BEING CONVICTED OF ONE OR MORE CRIMINAL OFFENSES WITHOUT
SUCH INDIVIDUAL BEING GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT AN EXPLANATION OF
THE FACTS SURROUNDING ANY CONVICTION OR ALLEGED OFFENSE AS WELL AS ANY
OTHER INFORMATION THE INDIVIDUAL DEEMS RELEVANT TO THE CONVICTION OR
ALLEGED OFFENSE AND PROVIDED A REASONABLE REVIEW OF THE FACTS AND A
REASONABLE CONSIDERATION FOR THE EXTENSION OF FORGIVENESS AND A SECOND
CHANCE.
§ 9. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall
have become a law.