Reps. Blunt Rochester, Mace Introduce Bipartisan Clean Slate Act
Washington,
April 27, 2023
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Andrew Donnelly
(302-893-4406)
WASHINGTON - Today, Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced the Clean Slate Act, bipartisan legislation that would give Americans with low-level and nonviolent criminal records a second chance to participate in society fully. The bill’s introduction coincides with National Reentry Week and “Second Chance” Month.
The Clean Slate Act would remove major barriers for many Americans in finding employment, securing housing, and accessing education by automatically sealing the federal records of individuals convicted of low-level, nonviolent drug offenses after they successfully complete their sentence.
Blunt Rochester introduced the Clean Slate Act in the 115th, 116th, and 117th Congress. The legislation is one of the seven bills that make up Blunt Rochester’s comprehensive JOBS Agenda which she announced earlier this month. Additionally, Blunt Rochester currently serves as a co-chair of the Bipartisan Second Chance Task Force where she is working across the aisle on policies that support successful reentry and prevent recidivism.
“Since coming to Congress, the Clean Slate Act has been one of my top priorities. With 9 in 10 employers conducting background checks, 4 in 5 landlords, and 3 in 5 universities doing the same, we know just how critical it is to give those who have served their time and paid their debt to society a clean slate and a second chance,” said Blunt Rochester, co-chair of the Bipartisan Second Chance Taskforce. “That’s why I’m so pleased to join Rep. Mace in introducing the Clean Slate Act this Congress. And as we continue to face workforce shortages impacting industries across the country and our economy, it’s never been more important to do all we can to create equitable economic opportunity for millions of Americans. I look forward to working with my colleagues across the aisle and across Congress to pass this much-needed legislation and send it to President Biden’s desk.”
"As Americans, we believe in second chances. We believe in redemption. And we believe in the power of forgiveness,” said Mace. The Clean Slate Act, a bill that would give Americans who have paid their debt to society a fair shot at rebuilding their lives, is needed. We must reform our criminal justice system to focus on rehabilitation and second chances, and this bill is an important step in the right direction."
“Congress holds the power to unlock opportunities for millions of people in America by passing the Clean Slate Act and the Fresh Start Act,” said Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative. “These bills are common-sense measures that will stimulate our economy by opening opportunities for working people and meeting businesses’ workforce needs. The bipartisan championship of second chances demonstrates broad agreement that a past mistake should not be a life sentence to poverty. States have led the way on second chances, and now it’s time for Congress to do its part.” - The Clean Slate Initiative
“The Clean Slate Act is a common sense reform that will help give people who have fulfilled their justice system obligations a second chance,” said Nan Gibson, Executive Director, JPMorgan Chase PolicyCenter. “By creating a process for clearing low-level nonviolent federal records, and streamlining the process through automation, the Clean Slate Act will help people pursue stable career opportunities. This measure will enable companies like JPMorgan Chase, where about 10 percent of our new hires annually in the US have previous records with no bearing on their roles, continue to connect individuals to meaningful career pathways, opening doors to opportunity that transform lives, lift up communities and strengthen the economy.”
“Sealing records for non-violent offenses opens employment, education and housing opportunities for individuals who have earned a true second chance,” said Inimai Chettiar, Deputy Director of Justice Action Network. “The Clean Slate Act will make communities safer, help rebuild our economy, and provide a meaningful second chance at success to people who’ve paid their debt to society. We commend Representative Blunt Rochester, Representative Mace and the strong bipartisan group of colleagues who have joined on as original co-sponsors this congress for their leadership.”
Background More than one in three adults have some form of a criminal record, keeping them from participating in many facets of everyday life as nearly nine in ten employers, four in five landlords, and three in five colleges utilize background checks to screen applicants.
Currently, the federal government lacks any meaningful way to clear federal criminal records, regardless of whether they resulted in an actual conviction. The Clean Slate Act aims to address this issue by automatically sealing federal arrest records for individuals not convicted and records for individuals convicted of low-level, nonviolent drug offenses after successfully completing their sentence. It would also establish new procedures to allow individuals to petition to seal records for other nonviolent offenses that are not automatically sealed.
The Clean Slate Act is endorsed by the American Conservative Union, Brennan Center for Justice, Center for American Progress, Clean Slate Initiative, Code for America, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Faith and Freedom Coalition, JPMorgan Chase, Justice Action Network (JAN), LinkedIn, Responsible Business Initiative for Justice, Right on Crime, R Street, Third Way, Due Process Institute, and Business Roundtable.
Full text of the bill can be found here.
A one-pager on the bill can be found here.
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