Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Clean Slate Bill Thursday, giving a second chance for some New Yorkers who have served time in prison.

The law will seal a person’s criminal records three years following a sentence for a misdemeanor and eight years following a sentence for a felony.

The most serious felony, known as “Class A,” which includes murder, sexual assault and other charges, would not be sealed.

“We get people back to work, give them those opportunities and all those people who’ve been convicted not able to find someone who’ll believe in them and help lift them up, give them a home, let them have independence again, have the dignity of a job,” Hochul said.

Republicans in the state have spoken out against the bill.

In a statement, Senate Republican leader Rob Ortt says in part, “Gov. Hochul has signed another bill that continues the alarming trend of disastrous criminal justice ‘reforms’ that have made our communities less safe."