For Immediate Release: April 25, 2017

Contact: Gary Ginsburg | ginsburg@nysenate.gov | 518-455-2415

Senate Republican/IDC Coalition Already Trying To Weaken Raise

The Age
(Albany, NY) Legislation to weaken the watered-down Raise The Age compromise approved
in the 2017-2018 State Budget has already been advanced by the Senate Republican/IDC
Majority Coalition. The Senate Democratic Conference blasted this effort, Senate Bill S.241
sponsored by Deputy Republican Leader John DeFrancisco, which would allow for the unsealing
of juvenile offender records. In addition to voting against this bad bill, the Senate Democrats will
force a vote on an amendment which will ensure juvenile offender recorders remain sealed.

Once again we see the real world consequences of what happens when Republicans are allowed
to run the State Senate, Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. This
action to weaken the already watered-down Raise The Age compromise is unacceptable. Clearly
the Senate Republicans have not changed their views on the need to treat children like children,
not hardened criminals.

The Senate Republican/IDC Coalition refused to back real Raise The Age reforms in the 2017-
2018 State Budget, and instead forced through a watered-down compromise version which has
been blasted by advocates and interest groups. Legislation advanced just two session days later
by the Republican/IDC Coalition would allow records for youthful offenders to be unsealed,
despite protections included in the final Raise The Age agreement. This bill demonstrates that the
Senate Republican/IDC Coalition continue to hold regressive attitudes towards 16- and 17-year
old offenders.

To protect 16- and 17-year olds, the Senate Democrats will advance an amendment to S.241
which would ensure that all youthful offender records remain sealed. This amendment will be
brought to the floor by Senator Gustavo Rivera and will in no way change how the bill treats
adult offenders records, but only those of 16- and 17-year old children.

Senate Democratic Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris said, It took all of one session day since
the Raise The Age compromise was enacted for the Senate GOP/IDC Coalition to try to weaken
their already watered-down version. Senate Republicans will never support progressive action to
help youthful offenders get their lives back on track. Continuing to prop them up and hand them
control of the Senate Chamber undercuts Democratic values.

Amendment Sponsor, Senator Gustavo Rivera, said, The Senate GOP/IDC coalition has
passed hundreds of measures enhancing penalties in the time they have ruled the chamber that
continue to focus on keeping New Yorkers behind bars instead of providing the rehabilitation
they need. Todays vote proves they will continue to try and score political points off the backs of
New Yorkers who need help. We are talking about people who need treatment and to unseal their
records will only serve to deny them the help they need, while further exasperating an already
burdened system. My amendment will simply shield youthful offenders from this action, and I
urge the GOP/IDC Majority to support it.

Raise The Age Bill Sponsor, Senator Velmanette Montgomery, said, Sealing records is so
important for juvenile offenders, as it ensures they have a chance to move forward. Denying
these youth the opportunity to lead productive lives is cruel, and that is precisely what Senate
Bill S.241 would do. Clearly watering down Raise The Age reforms wasnt enough for the
Senate GOP/IDC as this bill proves they will continue to treat youthful offenders as adults, and
that is wrong.

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New York State Senate | DemocraticConferenceNews@nysenate.gov | 518-455-2415