New state budget will block the release of mug shots

The 2019-2020 New York State budget was finalized Monday. The spending plan includes plenty of new policies, to include ending the practice of publically releasing an arrest mugshot. The budget contains legislation amending the state Freedom of Information Law to shield booking photographs from public access (there are limited exceptions, for example a manhunt). Police booking information, which had also been on the chopping block, will continue to remain public. Gov. Cuomo even wanted to block law enforcement from releasing criminal charges for a defendant. Senate and Assembly leaders initially agreed but changed their minds after complaints by civil liberties advocates and media organizations.