A YEAR OF SECOND CHANCES: GOVERNOR WOLF, BIPARTISAN STATE LEGISLATORS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES MARK 35 MILLION CASES SEALED ON ANNIVERSARY OF CLEAN SLATE IMPLEMENTATION

State legislators and criminal justice advocates join the governor to celebrate impact of this first-in-the-nation bill

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA - Today, Governor Tom Wolf, Rep. Sheryl Delozier, House Minority Whip Rep. Jordan Harris, and Sen. Camera Bartolotta joined criminal justice reform advocates and impacted individuals to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the implementation of the Clean Slate Act, which has now automatically sealed nearly 35 million cases involving low-level offenses - and opened up second chances, including jobs and housing, for countless Pennsylvanians with records. Several individuals impacted by the Clean Slate Act joined the celebration to share their first-hand stories and struggles bearing the stigma of a criminal record, and sharing how automatic record sealing can be life-changing for them and their families.

The law, which passed the state legislature with overwhelming bipartisan votes and was a signature initiative of the Center for American Progress and Pennsylvania’s Community Legal Services, drew support from a broad coalition of groups from ACLU-PA to FreedomWorks, and made Pennsylvania the first state or commonwealth in the country to automatically seal records for low-level offenses. Since then, states across the country have followed Pennsylvania’s lead and are working to pass their own versions of ‘Clean Slate.’

“On this one year anniversary of clean slate implementation, we celebrate the countless lives this law has changed all across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “I’m proud that Pennsylvania is leading the way in second chances and excited to see our Clean Slate law serve as a national model for commonsense, bipartisan criminal justice reforms. Today we celebrate thirty-five million cases sealed and countless lives changed - and we’re not done yet.” 

The law automatically seals certain cases from public view, for people who had their charges dropped, were found not guilty, or were convicted of certain nonviolent offenses - after remaining crime-free for 10 years. Previously, these public records stood in the way of individuals applying for jobs, securing housing, and improving their education.

“Today marks an important day for so many individuals who, for far too long, have had their lives upended by a mistake in their past,” said Justice Action Network Executive Director Holly Harris. “People who had their charges dropped or were found not guilty should not have to wear a scarlet letter for the rest of their lives. Especially when that stigma discourages them from being productive members of society, which actually makes all of us less safe. We are thrilled to know that so many lives are changing for the better because bipartisanship and common sense overruled partisanship and antiquated approaches to public safety.”

This celebration comes on the heels of last week’s passage of Senate Bill 637 – a sweeping occupational licensing overhaul that, coupled with Clean Slate, will give justice-impacted people a much needed chance to enter the workforce and contribute to Pennsylvania’s recovery as the economy begins to open back up. 

“The Clean Slate Act is all about second chances and leveling the playing field for people who have paid their debt to society,” said Rep. Sheryl Delozier. “Bipartisanship may be rare these days, but this law proves that it is possible to work across the aisle, and put people above partisanship. The Clean Slate Act has provided millions of second chances in Pennsylvania and gets government bureaucracy out of the way as we work together to get people back to work, and get our economy moving in the right direction.”

“Before this law was signed by the governor, millions of people had no other option but to struggle under the stigma of a criminal record, making it impossible to find a decent job or place to live,” said Representative Jordan Harris. “Now, second chances are not only possible - they are encouraged and protected by law. I’m proud to have partnered with my friends and colleagues across the aisle to make Clean Slate a first-in-the-nation achievement for Pennsylvania. We have more work to do, but today we celebrate this significant step towards fairness and justice for all communities.”