Bill > S05496

This bill, known as the "Candidate Truth in Background Disclosures Act", requires candidates for public office to file detailed statements about their educational background, military service history, and employment history when running for election. Specifically, candidates must provide comprehensive information including the secondary schools and higher education institutions they attended, years of attendance, and graduation dates; details of military service including the branch, years served, final rank, and service in any country; and a complete employment history listing all positions held since age 21 or for the past 20 years (whichever is shorter) that lasted more than three months. These statements must be filed personally by the candidate and will be subject to legal scrutiny. Candidates who knowingly provide false information or fail to file these statements can face significant penalties, including fines up to $1,000, potential imprisonment for up to one year, and civil penalties of up to $10,000 for repeated violations. The law will take effect one year after becoming law and will apply to elections beginning on or after that date, giving candidates and election boards time to prepare for the new requirements.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5496