RBIJ Urges Bipartisan Support of Federal Record Sealing Bills

Legislators Should Do Right by Employers and Workers Across America – By Passing Federal Clean Slate

Our existing criminal record system currently prevents millions of Americans from accessing employment, education, and housing – often completely without reason. In the ongoing workforce shortage, with more than 11 million vacant positions across the country, it is more critical than ever that we break down the needless barriers that prevent individuals from contributing to society and the economy. We call on Congress to pass the Clean Slate Act of 2021 (H.R.2864)  and the Fresh Start Act of 2021 (H.R.5651) – both of which advanced out of the House Judiciary Committee in a bipartisan vote on September 21 – which will expand access to record clearing and provide meaningful second chances for deserving citizens across the country. 

Bipartisan momentum for similar legislation has exploded in red, blue, and purple states. It has heavy support from the business community, who want to open up new talent pools in a tight job market and save taxpayer dollars by increasing public safety and streamlining a costly and burdensome court system. In Colorado, more than 30 employers came together to successfully back efforts to pass Clean Slate earlier this year, granting relief to 1.3 million people. It became the 7th state to do so, recognizing the growing need to get people back on their feet and into jobs – and all with business backing. When Utah implemented automatic record sealing earlier this year, Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Derek Miller stated that “Clean Slate is a key step to rebuild our workforce and drive our economic recovery forward”. 

This is borne out by the results. Research from Michigan, which passed Clean Slate in 2021, found that a year after record clearance, people are 11 percent more likely to be employed and earn 22 percent higher wages. Clean Slate also has huge benefits for public safety – individuals who have had their records sealed are less likely to commit a new offense than even the general public. 

However, despite progress at the state level, there is currently no federal record-sealing remedy, leaving people held back by federal records – even those that never led to a conviction – with no avenue for relief. The proposed legislation would remedy this injustice and present a common-sense solution that will reinvigorate our workforce while reducing tax burdens and making our communities safer. We urge legislators to support their passage – and do right by businesses across the United States. 

Responsible Business Initiative for Justice 

Business leaders across the country also weighed in on the importance of Clean Slate. Read what they had to say.