Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed the Clean Slate Act which seals certain criminal records three years after a misdemeanor conviction or eight years after a prison release for certain felony convictions. The premise is that everyone deserves a second chance when it comes to seeking a job, a place to live, or an educational opportunity.

The bill has supporters like Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, who believes it will “allow those individuals who made mistakes in their lives to turn the page and restart,” according to the Governor’s press release.

State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “I’m incredibly proud to have voted for Clean Slate, a bill that is going to give people a path forward to build a better future for themselves and their families while keeping our communities safer and stronger in the process.”

Among the bill’s opponents are State Senator Rob Rolison, who argues that “Clean Slate outlaws common sense and banishes discretion forever.”

Truth, as always, is in the eyes and ears of the beholders.

It is often difficult to re-enter society or have access to the most basic of services after a period of incarceration. Those basic services include an education, a steady paycheck and decent, affordable housing. The Clean Slate Act is intended to do that and more.

What it doesn’t do is protect employers who may not know if the newly-hired workers is a convicted felon. The Clean Slate bill would keep those records away from the eyes of a small business owner who needs to be able to trust employees with inventory, the safety of co-workers and perhaps the day’s receipts. There is a measure of trust at stake.

People deserve that chance to turn the page and hit the restart button. The law should work for most misdemeanor convictions, when those convicted have learned their lesson and make the genuine effort to start anew. But under this law, records are also sealed for crimes that include domestic abuse, hate crimes and assault, where the offense is less than a Class A felony. Some, but probably not all of them, deserve another chance.

For those cases, a clean slate should not be automatic. Judges already have the right to seal records for those deemed ready to re-enter society. They should be allowed to continue their work.