NY S05496

Requires all candidates for public office, party nominations, or party positions to file sworn statements disclosing their educational background (schools attended, years of attendance, graduation dates), military service history (years served, branch, final rank), and employment history (positions held since age 21 or past 20 years, whichever is shorter)

Mandates that background disclosure statements must be filed personally by the candidate and cannot be submitted by a designee or committee

False statements on background disclosures are punishable as a Class A misdemeanor, with penalties of $1,000 fine and/or one year imprisonment for knowing and willful violations

Imposes civil penalties up to $10,000 for candidates who knowingly and willfully violate the disclosure requirements three or more times within a single election cycle

Directs the State Board of Elections to develop an electronic reporting system to process the new background disclosure statements alongside existing campaign finance filings

Takes effect one year after becoming law and applies to candidates in elections beginning after that date