From the Albany times Union:
ALBANY — Legislative leaders and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo have agreed on budget legislation that would prohibit the release of arrest records and mugshots.
The privacy measure, to be included in the 2019-20 Public Protection and General Government bill, would amend the state's Freedom of Information Law to bar law enforcement and government agencies from releasing the mugshot photos and booking information of those arrested unless disclosure serves a law enforcement purpose, according to an Assembly spokesman.
While the final bill language is not available, the New York Civil Liberties Union issued a policy memo on Thursday opposing the governor's version, noting that it fails to specify what constitutes "booking information."
The NYCLU acknowledges that the arrest records can have lasting consequences on people's lives, but argues the over-broad measure would impede data gathering necessary for police accountability, including by news organizations.
Read More from the Times Union story HERE.
