In a breakthrough for public policy creation, a new data model unveiled by The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) offers detailed insights into the crisis of arrest and conviction records in America. The data model powers The CSI Data Dashboard, which presents data visualizations and population estimates for people in the U.S. impacted by arrest and conviction records, with data further broken down by race, ethnicity, sex, and type of record within each state and over time.

The Pennsylvania state legislature passed HB 689, legislation that builds on the state’s groundbreaking 2018 Clean Slate law by expanding access to second-chance opportunities for people with felony convictions. The bill passed with broad bipartisan support and was immediately signed into law earlier today by Governor Josh Shapiro.

“After years of sustained advocacy and strong public demand, New York is on the path to ensuring that a past mistake will not forever foreclose the opportunity for people to build a better life for themselves and their families.

“Soon, millions of New Yorkers will no longer be defined by their records…

“We applaud New York lawmakers for reaching an agreement and supporting this common-sense policy. Over 2.3 million people have a record in New York, but only .2% of eligible people have cleared their records under the current system. This Clean Slate bill will automatically clear records for anyone who is eligible, helping more New Yorkers gain a second chance at a better future…

On Thursday, April 27, 2023, the Clean Slate Act and the Fresh Start Act were introduced in U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan sponsorship.

Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Nancy Mace (R-SC) are lead sponsors of the Clean Slate Act, and Reps. Trone (D-MD) and Armstrong (R-ND) are lead sponsors of the Fresh Start Act.

These two substantial, bipartisan criminal justice reform efforts would provide some relief to the millions of people who face barriers because of a past arrest or conviction record.

Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative, issued the following statement in support of the bills…

Earlier today, a $75 million commitment to The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) was announced at the TED2023 conference. The investment will fund a large portion of the organization’s strategy to pass laws in 15 states in the next six years that expand eligibility and streamline the clearance process for arrest or conviction records, ultimately unlocking opportunities for 14 million people in America — a strategy that’s been met with overwhelming support across political divides…

“The work of Clean Slate Michigan partners has inspired other states around the country to ensure working people have a meaningful chance at building a better life for themselves and their families,” said Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative. “Michigan’s Clean Slate law passed with overwhelming bipartisan support because Clean Slate policies are good for the economy and improve community safety. The Clean Slate Initiative and our Michigan partners will continue to work with state agencies to ensure this process works as lawmakers intended and everyone who is eligible has their shot at redemption.”

Second Chance Month aims to raise awareness about the importance of ensuring people have access to meaningful opportunities after obtaining an arrest or conviction record. Clean Slate policies have created the largest impact of second chance efforts in recent years, made possible by sustained bipartisan support at the state and federal levels. As a result, over one million people in America have received a second chance through automated record sealing of eligible arrest or conviction records. Millions more are in line to have their record automatically sealed as additional states implement policies already signed into law and more states continue to advance additional Clean Slate legislation.

“We applaud President Biden’s executive action pardoning Federal simple marijuana offenses. The action is a good first step in helping working Americans overcome the barriers created by having a conviction on their records.

“Now it’s time for Congress to take the next step. There are tens of thousands more that have past records that are barriers to work, housing and education. It’s time for federal lawmakers to pass the Clean Slate Act, legislation that allows people with an eligible past record who have completed their sentence and stayed crime-free to petition for record sealing and which automates sealing for all low-level drug offenses. ..

Ahead of the committee markup, Sheena Meade, executive director of the Clean Slate Initiative, released the following statement:

“Working families deserve every chance to create a better life for themselves. Unfortunately, one in every three people in our country today has a past arrest or conviction record that impedes their ability to get a job, secure housing, get an education, and otherwise participate in civic life.

“Thankfully, bipartisan support in recent years has led to red, blue, and purple states passing Clean Slate laws that give people a fair chance at meaningful opportunities. Today, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee has an opportunity to ensure people with federal records are not left behind.

…Ahead of the press conference, Sheena Meade, executive director of the Clean Slate Initiative, issued the following statement:

“Congress has the opportunity to increase access to meaningful employment, education, and other opportunities for millions of Americans by passing the Clean Slate Act and the Fresh Start Act. We have seen the transformational impact of Clean Slate laws on millions of working people in the states that have adopted these policies. It’s promising to see Congress building on that momentum and advancing these long overdue measures at the federal level.

“We know that 100 million Americans, one out of every three people in this country, face barriers solely because they have some kind of record. This bipartisan effort to pass Clean Slate Act and the Fresh Start Act would help get people back to work, boost local economies, and save taxpayers money in the long run. It’s time to ensure all Americans are given a fair shot at creating a better life for themselves and their families.”