States of Clean Slate: End of Year Wrap Up

Across the country, 2025 was a year of hard-won progress, powerful partnerships, and real second chances. From a major legislative victory to transformative milestones, Clean Slate campaigns made meaningful strides in states at every stage of the journey. Communities organized, directly impacted leaders drove change, lawmakers listened, and systems began to shift — and we’re closing the year with more than 18 million people on a path to full or partial record sealing in the 13 states, plus Washington D.C., that have passed Clean Slate laws.

‍Below is a look at what we achieved together this year — where Clean Slate laws were passed, where they’re beginning to take root, and where momentum is building for the work ahead.

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Clean Slate Connecticut 

Connecticut made significant strides in implementing its Clean Slate law this year, and partners continue to collaborate with state officials and stakeholders to ensure the process is working as intended. CSI and CONECT look forward to celebrating the state's achievements and starting public education efforts early in 2026.

Learn more about Clean Slate in Connecticut at cleanslatect.org.  

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Clean Slate Colorado

Colorado’s Clean Slate law went fully into effect in July 2025, and the Colorado courts have already sealed hundreds of thousands of records through the Clean Slate process. Clean Slate Colorado partners have worked closely throughout the year with state agencies and government actors to improve systems and sealing efficiency, developed and shared public education information about Clean Slate processes and eligibility, and supported Coloradans through expungement clinic work and resource referrals. We look forward to further advancements in automated sealing in 2026.

Learn more about Clean Slate in Colorado at cleanslateco.org

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Clean Slate Illinois 

‍The Illinois General Assembly passed the Clean Slate Act (HB 1836), on October 30, making Illinois the 13th state to pass a Clean Slate automatic record sealing law. This transformative law will open doors to opportunity for 1.74 million people across the state — people who’ve already paid their dues and deserve the chance to move forward with their lives.

This victory is years in the making and took every ounce of dedication and commitment, right up to the final vote. We applaud the tireless work of Illinois organizers, directly impacted leaders, and community partners who fought for years to make this moment possible — including Live Free Illinois, the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments, the Workers Center for Racial Justice, Impact for Equity, Code for America, and others. Their dedication to educating lawmakers, mobilizing communities, and keeping the focus on the path ahead was critical to today’s success.

Learn more about Clean Slate in Illinois at cleanslateillinois.org. 

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Clean Slate Kentucky 

Partners in Kentucky have been working diligently this year to build support and share information about Clean Slate. They’ve hosted information events across the state to educate Kentuckians about second chance policies and how to get involved in the effort to pass Clean Slate in Kentucky.

Learn more about Clean Slate in Kentucky at cleanslatekentucky.org.   

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Clean Slate Maine

In Spring, Maine introduced a Clean Slate bill: L.D. 1911. The bill, introduced by Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross and backed by a bipartisan coalition, would automatically seal records for most misdemeanor convictions. 

Currently, individuals must navigate a complex, resource-intensive process to request sealing. This bill would help clear a path to redemption for the more than 163,000 people in Maine living with an arrest or conviction record.

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Clean Slate Maryland 

Earlier this year, Clean Slate Maryland advocates pushed back against restrictive expungement eligibility standards to pave the way for Clean Slate’s automated record sealing in the future — and we won. 

Senate Bill 432, the Expungement Reform Act of 2025, removes barriers that prevent individuals on probation from being eligible for expungement, a restriction reinforced by the state’s Abhishek court case. The bill, which Governor Moore approved, will help expand economic opportunities, reduce barriers for families, and strengthen communities.

Learn more about Clean Slate in Maryland at cleanslatemaryland.org. 

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Clean Slate Massachusetts 

In January, Massachusetts filed a Clean Slate bill, S. 1114. Since then, advocates on the ground have been working hard to ensure its passage through a coordinated effort that has included faith-based support, public health advocates, and a consistent presence at the State House. 

Through grassroots efforts, advocates also worked to pass resolutions in support of Clean Slate. Their efforts helped pass resolutions in the cities of Cambridge and Springfield.

Stay tuned for more on the effort to pass Clean Slate in Massachusetts in 2026!

Learn more about Clean Slate in Massachusetts at cleanslatema.org.  

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Clean Slate Michigan 

In partnership with Safe & Just Michigan, CSI, and other stakeholders, Michigan began implementing its Clean Slate law in April 2023. To date, more than 912,000 people have received full or partial record sealing through Clean Slate’s automated system.

Learn more about Clean Slate in Michigan at safeandjustmi.org/clean-slate.  

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Clean Slate Minnesota

Minnesota’s Clean Slate law went into effect on January 1, 2025. As of October 7, 2025, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehensions (BCA) has identified more than 2.17 million potentially eligible records under Clean Slate. Of those, nearly 1.5 million records have been sealed, and more than 75,000 are in final review by the Minnesota Judicial Branch – meaning nearly 72% of identified records are either sealed or in judicial review.

Learn more about Clean Slate in Minnesota at https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/bca-divisions/professional-services/expungements. 

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Clean Slate Missouri 

‍Missouri’s Clean Slate bill, HB 953, saw some movement this year, passing out of the House during Second Chance Month. The bill proposes to automate the expungement process for certain arrest and conviction records — so individuals who have completed their sentences and remained crime-free for a specified period would have their records sealed without needing to file a petition. The bill also establishes the Missouri Expungement Fund to support the program’s creation, operation, and maintenance. Stay tuned for more on this bill in 2026!

Learn more about Clean Slate in Missouri at www.mocleanslate.org.  

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Clean Slate New York 

Clean Slate advocates in New York have been hard at work, with a strong focus on Clean Slate education and awareness. As they prepare for the state’s implementation in 2027, partners have been meeting regularly with implementing agencies to monitor progress and ensure the promise of Clean Slate becomes a reality in the near future.

Learn more about Clean Slate in New York at cleanslateny.org.  

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Clean Slate North Dakota

This week, the North Dakota legislature passed a law expanding access to petition-based record sealing and automatically sealing arrest records that do not result in convictions starting in August, with some exceptions. While HB 1166 is not a Clean Slate bill, it's a significant step in the right direction. 

Before becoming North Dakota's Governor, Kelly Armstrong was a consistent champion of second chances and a sponsor of federal Clean Slate legislation. Hopefully, this is just the first piece of second-chance legislation that will land on Gov. Armstrong's desk!

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Clean Slate Pennsylvania

The first Clean Slate state has kept its momentum going strong. At the end of 2024, Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate expansion law, “Clean Slate 3.0,” was fully implemented, sealing felony convictions for the first time. And to date, nearly 1.7 million people have received a Clean Slate in PA.

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Clean Slate Texas 

Texas worked to move its Clean Slate bill forward this year. HB 2507, which would automate record sealing, was voted out of the House in May, signaling legislative support for second chances. Keep an eye out for more from Texas next year!

Learn more about Clean Slate in Texas at cleanslatetexas.org. 

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Clean Slate Utah 

When it comes to making sure Clean Slate delivers on its promise, Clean Slate Utah partners don’t quit. Advocates continue to help as many people as possible through expungement events, sharing resources and information, and collaborating with CSI and stakeholders to ensure implementation moves forward. Utah's courts and repository have sealed approximately 500,000 records through the Clean Slate process. Stay tuned for more sealing in 2026.

Learn more about Clean Slate in Utah at cleanslateutah.org. 

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