The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday rejected a bid by law enforcement unions to block the release of police disciplinary records and, effectively, also upheld state lawmakers’ landmark repeal of “50-A,” the statute that had kept police disciplinary records out of public view for decades, as reported by Newsday.

The Legal Aid Society cheered the decision and said the police and law enforcement unions were trying to “use the federal courts to undermine clear state legislative prerogatives and fundamental values of civil rights and open government.”

“This decision rightfully rejects the police unions’ baseless attempts to undermine the Legislature’s decisive repeal of Police Secrecy Law 50-A and to continue hiding records of police discipline and misconduct,” Molly Griffard, a fellow with The Legal Aid Society, said.