The Rensselaer County Legislature hoped a new drug dealer registry would name and shame those giving people deadly drugs. But several Democratic lawmakers told NewsChannel 13 they were moved by comments from critics of the law Wednesday evening.

The law passed unanimously in January, with both Republicans and Democrats saying they wanted to tackle addiction and hold drug dealers accountable. It also had support from District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly and County Executive Steve McLaughlin.

But a handful of people in recovery, joined by organizations including Troy 4 Black Lives and the New York Civil Liberties Union, said the new measure means former offenders never get the chance to rejoin society and be productive. They also said it would disproportionately hurt people of color.

It would perpetuate addiction, they said. They believe that ending addiction involves creating opportunities for jobs and housing, not taking them away.

The goal was to create a central website for parents with children to know who convicted drug dealers are and where they live. People 16 and older are required to register for 10 years. People at the meeting said children’s mistakes will follow them for years — unfairly affecting children of color.  

“Had this database been around when I was using substances and selling substances, I would’ve just gotten off that database a year ago. I was able to go on to be the first person in my family to get a graduate degree, and I currently work for the New York State Senate,” one speaker told the legislature.

The public had a chance to speak before it was passed, but legislators said they did not hear this feedback, but rather heard from people who feel drug dealers deserve more accountability.

“I am really grateful for their voices, asking us to think a little harder about the legislation that was passed,” said Nina Nichols (D – Troy).

Nichols and Minority Leader Peter Grimm (D – Troy) said after hearing the public’s comments, they regretted voting for the law and would lead an effort to repeal or change it with the public’s continued support.

Several Republican lawmakers did not want to go on camera, but told NewsChannel 13 their opinion of the law was not immediately changed by critics’ comments, signaling an uphill battle for Democrats with five votes in the minority to change or repeal the registry.