Relates to the former crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense; expunges criminal records for persons previously convicted of such crime; directs the chief administrator of the courts to provide information regarding such expungement; adds language to identify that the crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense is no longer in law.
Summary
This bill would eliminate the remaining legal effects of New York’s former offense of loitering for the purpose of engaging in prostitution, which was previously codified in Penal Law former section 240.37. It directs that convictions for that former offense be vacated and dismissed, and that related records be expunged and, upon request, destroyed. The bill also requires the court system and the Division of Criminal Justice Services to notify relevant agencies, update criminal history reporting so these convictions are excluded, and conduct a public information campaign to help affected people understand their rights and the process for relief.
The bill also amends related criminal procedure provisions governing prostitution cases and youthful offender treatment to remove references to loitering for prostitution, reflecting that the offense is no longer part of New York law. It clarifies that people with these prior convictions may seek additional relief under other laws, and it preserves procedures for automatic relief even where court records are incomplete or missing. The measure takes effect immediately and is designed to operate retroactively for past convictions.
Impact
The bill would amend the Criminal Procedure Law to create automatic vacatur, dismissal, and expungement for convictions under former Penal Law section 240.37, and it would require updates to criminal history records maintained by the courts and DCJS. It also changes related provisions in CPL section 170.80 and CPL section 160.50 to remove references to loitering for prostitution and to ensure those convictions are treated as legally invalid and excluded from certain records searches. Affected parties include people previously convicted under the former statute, courts, prosecutors, police agencies, DCJS, and the Office of Court Administration.
Sentiment
The bill appears strongly reform-oriented and supportive of people with prior prostitution-related loitering convictions, with an emphasis on record clearing, privacy, and correcting the legal status of a repealed offense. The caption and text suggest a broad remedial purpose, and the bill directs agencies to actively inform the public about the available relief. No committee transcript or vote data was provided, so there is no recorded opposition or formal vote sentiment in the supplied materials.
Contention
The main policy issue is the scope and mechanics of retroactive relief: the bill mandates automatic vacatur and expungement, including destruction of records on request, which may raise administrative and records-management concerns for courts and law enforcement. Another potential point of contention is the breadth of confidentiality and exclusion from criminal history reports, which limits access to these records by agencies and the public. The bill text itself does not show any stated opposition, but these implementation and public-records issues are the most likely areas of debate.
Same As
Relates to the former crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense; expunges criminal records for persons previously convicted of such crime; directs the chief administrator of the courts to provide information regarding such expungement; adds language to identify that the crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense is no longer in law.
Relates to the former crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense; expunges criminal records for persons previously convicted of such crime; directs the chief administrator of the courts to provide information regarding such expungement; adds language to identify that the crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense is no longer in law.
Relates to the former crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense; expunges criminal records for persons previously convicted of such crime; directs the chief administrator of the courts to provide information regarding such expungement; adds language to identify that the crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense is no longer in law.
Relates to the former crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense; expunges criminal records for persons previously convicted of such crime; directs the chief administrator of the courts to provide information regarding such expungement; adds language to identify that the crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense is no longer in law.
Relates to the former crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense; expunges criminal records for persons previously convicted of such crime; directs the chief administrator of the courts to provide information regarding such expungement; adds language to identify that the crime of loitering for the purpose of engaging in a prostitution offense is no longer in law.
Payment rates established for certain substance use disorder treatment services, and vendor eligibility recodified for payments from the behavioral health fund.
Cover Outstanding Vulnerable Expansion-eligible Residents Now Act or the COVER Now Act This bill establishes a demonstration program to allow local governments to provide health benefits to the Medicaid expansion population in states that have not expanded Medicaid. Under the program, local governments may provide coverage for individuals who are newly eligible for Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (i.e., the Medicaid expansion population) for a maximum of 10 years, or until their respective states expand Medicaid. The bill provides a 100% federal matching rate for the first three years of program participation. The bill prohibits states from taking certain actions against participating localities, such as withholding funding, increasing taxes, or restricting provider participation. States that violate these requirements are subject to certain funding penalties.