BIPARTISAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR WOLF
Measure Expands “Clean Slate” Law, Allows Expungement of Acquitted Individuals
(Harrisburg, PA) — Today, Governor Tom Wolf signed House Bill 440, building on Pennsylvania’s first-in-the-nation “Clean Slate” law to safely provide second chances to people who are looking to turn their lives around. This will automatically expunge the records of people who have been fully acquitted of all charges, and seal records of those who have received an unconditional pardon. The new law also clarifies the legislative intent of the original “Clean Slate” law, requiring that restitution be paid before a record qualifies for automatic sealing. House Bill 440, introduced by Representatives Sheryl Delozier (R-88) and Joanna McClinton (D-191), was passed unanimously by both chambers.
“House Bill 440 advances public safety and economic opportunity at the same time. That’s why it earned bipartisan support, why it passed both chambers unanimously, and why Governor Wolf signed it into law today,” said Jenna Bottler, Deputy Director of Justice Action Network. “I’d like to thank Governor Wolf, Representatives Delozier and McClinton, Chairwoman Baker, Senator Bartolotta, Senator Haywood, Senator Street, and Chairman Farnese for working across party lines to deliver for their constituents, and showing that criminal justice reform can bridge the partisan divide, even this close to Election Day.”
This new law comes at a time when the economy is beginning to recover from COVID-19, but more than 8% of Pennsylvanians remain unemployed. Individuals with a criminal record are often locked out of the labor market. Amid a high unemployment rate, this legislation will help Pennsylvania create a more robust and skilled workforce, as well as providing a new start and stronger reentry policies across the state.
House Bill 44 Provides:
An opportunity to automatically expunge an individual's record if they have been fully acquitted of all charges, based on the same conduct, or arising from the same alleged criminal episode
Clarification to the original "Clean Slate" bill, which reflects the intent of the Legislature that restitution must be paid prior to the issuance of an automatically sealed record
Automatic sealing of crimes that have been pardoned, until the expungement process is complete