A package of four bills meant to aid formerly incarcerated people in New York was signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul, her office on Friday announced. 

The measures, taken together, provide support to people who have served their sentences following conviction with an eye toward reducing recidivism. 

"For far too long, our criminal justice system has taken away the basic rights of formerly incarcerated individuals — especially people of color — even after they've paid their debt to society," Hochul said. "This package of legislation takes positive steps forward to make sure New York's criminal justice system treats everyone fairly while enhancing the safety of our neighborhoods. It's critical that we foster a safe state while ensuring formerly incarcerated New Yorkers have the opportunity for a second chance."

One bill approved allows people who have been convicted of a felony and fully served their sentence in prison to act as the executor of a family estate. 

Another bill allows for people who are re-entering to perform bona fide work such as overtime or on night shifts without violating their parole. 

Hochul also approved a measure that allows people who are subject to supervised release to file protests against work-related labor conditions.

And the governor backed a bill that is meant to simplify the process for obtaining certificates issued by state corrections and community supervision officials, to help formerly incarcerated people show they have not committed crimes since their release from prison.