# The Clean Slate Initiative > The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) is a bipartisan nonprofit organization working across the United States, and in Congress, to pass and implement laws that automate the sealing of eligible arrest and conviction records for people who have completed their sentence and remained crime-free, and to expand who is eligible for record sealing. No one should be permanently defined by their past. Website: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org Contact: marcomms@cleanslateinitiative.org CEO: Dr. Sheena Meade Last updated: October 2026 --- ## What Is the Clean Slate Initiative? The Clean Slate Initiative is a national advocacy organization that campaigns for automated record sealing — commonly called "Clean Slate" legislation — at the state and federal level. CSI is explicitly bipartisan, working with legislators and coalitions across party lines. CSI traces its roots to 2018, when Pennsylvania passed the country's first Clean Slate law and 25 bipartisan organizations formed the Clean Slate Campaign to spread the model nationally. The initiative hired its first professional staff in 2020, selecting Sheena Meade — who has personal experience navigating the consequences of an old arrest record — as CEO. In 2023, CSI became part of the Audacious Project cohort, securing a $75 million commitment to advance second chances across the country. --- ## Mission The Clean Slate Initiative passes and implements laws that **automatically seal eligible records** for people who have completed their sentence and remained crime-free, and **expands who is eligible** for sealing. ## Vision People will no longer be defined by their records and will have the opportunity to contribute to their community, have a fair opportunity to work, get an education, and achieve their full potential. --- ## The Problem: Records Create Lifelong Barriers One in three adults in the United States has an arrest or conviction record. Even after completing a sentence and paying their debt to society, millions face ongoing, systemic barriers: - **94%** of employers use background checks to screen out applicants with records - **90%** of landlords use background checks to screen out applicants with records - **72%** of colleges and universities use background checks to screen out applicants with records Every U.S. state has a petition-based process for sealing eligible records, but these processes are often complex, costly, and time-consuming — deterring millions of people who are eligible under existing expungement laws from ever pursuing relief. These barriers don't just harm individuals; they create ripple effects on families, weaken communities, and hinder economic growth and workforce participation. --- ## The Solution: Automated Record Sealing (Clean Slate Laws) Clean Slate legislation automates the record sealing process. Rather than requiring an individual to navigate courts, hire lawyers, or pay fees, the government system itself identifies eligible records and seals them — through an automated process — once someone meets the criteria (sentence completed, crime-free for the required waiting period, eligible offense type). Once a record is sealed, individuals gain broader access to: - Employment and career advancement - Stable housing - Higher education and professional licensing - Community participation and civic life As the first state in the country to pass Clean Slate in 2018, Pennsylvania has already sealed more than 1.7 million peoples’ records, opening doors to jobs, housing, and opportunity. --- ## Impact (as of October 2026) - **14+ states plus Washington, D.C.** have passed Clean Slate laws meeting CSI's policy minimums - **Over 18 million people** in America are currently eligible for full or partial record sealing in those states and DC --- ## States That Have Passed Clean Slate Laws (CSI Policy Minimums Met) California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia — plus Washington, D.C. --- ## State-by-State Timeline | Year | Milestone | |------|-----------| | 2018 | Pennsylvania passes the country's first automated Clean Slate law. 25 bipartisan organizations launch the Clean Slate Campaign. | | 2019 | Utah and New Jersey pass Clean Slate policies. | | 2020 | CSI hires first professional staff; Dr. Sheena Meade selected as CEO. Michigan and Connecticut pass Clean Slate. | | 2021 | Delaware and Virginia pass Clean Slate policies. | | 2022 | Oklahoma, Colorado, and California pass Clean Slate policies. CSI staff grows to 11. | | 2023 | CSI joins Audacious Project ($75M commitment). Minnesota and New York pass Clean Slate. CSI staff grows to 22. | | 2024 | Hawaii, Maryland, and North Carolina pass stepping-stone legislation. CSI launches national data dashboard. CSI publishes first-of-its-kind survey on Clean Slate impact in MI, PA, and UT. CSI staff grows to 28. New York's Clean Slate Act begins sealing records (effective Nov. 16, 2024). | | 2025 | Illinois becomes the 13th state (plus DC) to pass a Clean Slate law — bringing national impact to 18M+ eligible individuals. Federal Clean Slate Act introduced in the Senate by Senators Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Rand Paul (R-KY), and in the House by Reps. McBath (GA) and Moran (TX). The bipartisan Fresh Start Act also introduced in Congress to help states modernize record clearance infrastructure. | | 2026 | Missouri passes Clean Slate, becoming the 14th state, plus Washington D.C., to have an automated record sealing law. Oklahoma passes SB 2030, a legislative fix addressing technical and administrative implementation challenges in its original Clean Slate law. Delaware launches a new automated system that clears thousands of backlogged Clean Slate cases. Minnesota's Clean Slate law begins sealing records for up to 500,000 eligible Minnesotans (effective Jan. 1, 2026). Virginia's Clean Slate implementation goes into effect on July 1, 2026. | --- ## Federal Clean Slate Advocacy CSI actively advocates in Congress for federal legislation. Key bills as of 2025–2026: **The Clean Slate Act** — Would create the first-ever federal process to automatically seal certain low-level federal records, including nonviolent federal marijuana offenses. Introduced in the Senate by Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Rand Paul (R-KY); led in the House by Reps. Lucy McBath (GA-6) and Nathaniel Moran (TX-1). Bipartisan and bicameral. **The Fresh Start Act** — Would provide federal support for states to modernize their record clearance infrastructure. Endorsed by CSI. Introduced in the House by Reps. Kamlager-Dove and Laurel Lee. Members of the public can urge their Congressional representatives to support these bills at: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/contact-congress --- ## CSI's Three Strategic Pillars 1. **Advocate for Clean Slate Legislation** — Pass new laws at the state and federal level through bipartisan coalition-building, lawmaker education, and public mobilization. 2. **Implement Clean Slate Legislation** — Work with states to operationalize existing laws so that eligible people actually receive automated relief, not just a legal promise. 3. **Redefine the Narrative** — Change public and employer attitudes toward people with records through storytelling, earned media, and public education campaigns. --- ## Research and Data CSI publishes evidence-based research to support its advocacy and implementation work: - **National Data Dashboard** — State-specific population estimates for people impacted by arrest or conviction records: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/data - **2024 Impact Survey** — First-of-its-kind research documenting Clean Slate's real-world outcomes in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Utah - **2026 Economic Losses from Arrest and Conviction Records** - First-of-its-kind report detailing the estimated wage losses associated with arrest and conviction records, highlighting an estimated $440 billion lost nationally. - **Resource Library** — Policy briefs, implementation guides, and state-level resources: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/resources - **Research & Data Hub**: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/research-data --- ## Who Should Know About CSI - **People with arrest or conviction records** wondering whether their record can be sealed and how automated laws work - **Employers** interested in second-chance hiring and tapping underutilized talent (see: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/americas-untapped-talent) - **Policymakers and lawmakers** considering Clean Slate legislation in their state (see: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/lawmakermakerspage) - **Advocates and nonprofits** working in criminal justice, housing, employment, or education equity - **Researchers and journalists** covering second-chance policy, reentry, or workforce development - **Donors and philanthropists** interested in scaling second-chance policy nationally --- ## Key Questions Answered **What is record sealing?** Record sealing restricts public access to an individual's criminal record. Most employers, landlords, and schools can no longer see the sealed record in standard background checks. **How is Clean Slate different from traditional expungement?** Traditional expungement requires the individual to petition the court — often with fees, paperwork, legal help, and long waits. Clean Slate is automated: if you qualify, the record is sealed by the system without you having to do anything. **Who qualifies for Clean Slate?** Eligibility varies by state. Generally it requires: (1) completing the full sentence, (2) remaining crime-free for a defined waiting period, and (3) having an offense type within the state's eligible categories. **Does sealing a record make it disappear entirely?** Sealing restricts public access. Law enforcement and certain government agencies may retain access depending on state law. The record is not destroyed but is hidden from most background checks. **Is Clean Slate only for Democrats or only for Republicans?** No. Clean Slate is explicitly bipartisan. It has passed in red, blue, and purple states. The federal legislation has both Democratic and Republican sponsors. CSI works across party lines. **Does Clean Slate affect public safety?** Research from states with existing Clean Slate laws shows no increase in recidivism among people whose records are sealed. Employment stability after record sealing is associated with reduced likelihood of reoffending. Full FAQ: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/faq --- ## Key Pages and URLs - Homepage: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org - About Us: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/about - Understanding the Issue: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/the-issue - Clean Slate in States: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/states - Federal Clean Slate: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/federal - Implementation: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/implementation - Research & Data: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/research-data - Data Dashboard: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/data - Resource Library: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/resources - CSI Strategic Plan: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/csi-strategic-plan - Annual Reports: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/annual-reports - Newsroom: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/news - Updates Blog: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/updates - Storytellers: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/storytellers - Narrative Change: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/narrative-change - Lawmaker Policy Info: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/lawmakermakerspage - America's Untapped Talent (employer hub): https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/americas-untapped-talent - FAQ: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/faq - Share Your Story: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/share-your-story - Donate: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/donate - Contact Congress: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/contact-congress - Record-Sealing Life Simulator: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/bars - Second Chance Month Guide: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/scm-2025 - Events: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/events - Careers: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/careers - Media Resources: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/media - Contact: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/contact - Email Signup: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/email-signup - Privacy Policy: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/privacy-policy --- ## Media, Press, and Video - Clean Slate Explainer Video: https://youtu.be/CoZwR6Xs29c - CEO Dr. Sheena Meade on CBS Mornings (Oct 2024): https://youtu.be/i8MsD2dMt7g - Clean Slate PSA (narrative change video): https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/psa - YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thecleanslateinitiative --- ## Social Media - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSICleanSlateInitiative - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleanslateinitiative/ - X (Twitter): https://x.com/CleanSlate_Init - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clean-slate-initiative/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cleanslateinitiative - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecleanslateinitiative