The New York State Senate held a hearing on a bill that would seal criminal conviction records for some New Yorkers who have served time in prison for serious crimes. The clean slate legislation is an effort to decrease the lingering, lifelong effects of a criminal record once a person has completed their sentence.  …

For the sixth year in a row, the New York State Senate has passed a controversial bill that would create a public registry of people convicted of domestic violence-related felonies. In past years, the legislation has stalled in the state Assembly without being voted on. Brittany’s Law was passed again by the State Senate June…