ALBANY, N.Y. — A new state law will allow anyone convicted of prostitution in New York to clear their records when they can show they were forced into sex trafficking.

The legislation signed by Gov. David Paterson authorizes judges to vacate state convictions for prostitution or related loitering when the defendant was coerced into the crimes and has either quit or sought help from services for trafficking victims.

Sponsors say victims who do get out of prostitution are blocked by criminal records from rebuilding their lives because they can’t get jobs, housing and immigration status that allows them to stay in the U.S. and work.

The law, effective immediately, authorizes filing a motion in criminal court where the defendant was found guilty.