LAST UPDATED:
April 29, 2025
Congressional Press Conference April 2025
Press Conference Attendees
Message Guidance
Why does this matter right now, with everything else going on?
- This matters now more than ever. In a time of economic uncertainty and workforce shortages, we cannot afford to leave millions of capable people sitting on the sidelines because of old mistakes.
- The Clean Slate Act and Fresh Start Act offer real, bipartisan solutions that strengthen families, boost the economy, and make communities safer — all while reflecting our core values of redemption and opportunity. It’s exactly the kind of practical, unifying work Congress should be doing right now.
With the recent gov’t slashes in funding, how will the Fresh Start Act be effective?
- This is a government efficiency bill. The Fresh Start Act will save money by helping states automate record sealing, reduce costly bureaucracy, streamline government operations, and help people move into jobs and housing faster—which will grow tax revenues and reduce public assistance costs.
- It’s a targeted, efficient use of funds that will pay off in stronger families, safer communities, and a more robust economy.
It’s tough to get anything to move through Congress - how are these bills any different?
- These bills are different because they already have strong bipartisan support, both in Congress and in communities across the country. Clean Slate and Fresh Start aren’t about partisan politics — they’re about fairness, economic strength, and public safety.
- States led by both Republicans and Democrats have already passed similar laws, and we’re building on a proven track record of success. These are commonsense, widely supported solutions — and that’s exactly what Congress needs more of right now.
Doesn’t sealing records hide information the public deserves to know?
- Clean Slate policies seal records from most public background checks but law enforcement retains access to the records if they need them. The agencies that need access still have access.
- What Clean Slate does is remove unnecessary barriers for people who have already demonstrated they are ready to forward with their lives. It’s about balancing accountability with the opportunity for redemption.
With crime rates rising in some areas, why should we pass record sealing legislation now?
- Studies show that second-chance policies like Clean Slate reduce recidivism by opening the door to meaningful employment and stability. Locking people out of opportunity fuels desperation and instability.
- Clean Slate is a public safety strategy — when people have pathways to success, they are far less likely to return to the justice system.
How do we know people won’t reoffend with a sealed record?
- When you follow the data, research shows that after enough time passes without a new offense, their risk of reoffending is extremely low — even lower than the general population.
New York was the last state to pass a law that CSI considers to be Clean Slate - and that was almost two years ago. Does that indicate that the momentum for Clean Slate is slowing?
- No. While the concept of Clean Slate—sealing records once they become eligible—is straightforward, it takes some work to ensure it’s done right, and states are doing that work.
- Hawaii has a task force that is drafting recommendations for automating its record-sealing process.
- North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, who was a longtime Clean Slate champion while in Congress, signed legislation last week that expanded second chances and will soon start automatically sealing non-conviction records.
- Maryland Governor Wes Moore also signed a bill last week expanding access to second chances.
- We are also working with lawmakers in Illinois, Texas, Kentucky, and other states, all working towards passing Clean Slate laws.
- And here, in Congress, we again have a bipartisan group of lawmakers willing to file the CSA and FSA - and even though it seems it’s becoming harder and harder to work across the aisle, here we are, in the early days of the 119th Congress, with members of Congress working together to get something done. Today offers a good look at Clean Slate’s momentum.