BIPARTISAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM SWEEPS THROUGH PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE; MEASURE WILL GET PENNSYLVANIANS BACK TO WORK & REDUCE RECIDIVISM
Expanding Clean Slate Law, Legislation Allows Expungement of Acquitted Individuals; Bill Heads To Governor Wolf’s Desk for Signature
(Harrisburg, PA) — Today, the Pennsylvania House and Senate voted unanimously in favor of House Bill 440, which builds off the state’s historic “Clean Slate Law” to safely provide second chances to residents who are looking to turn their lives around. The legislation will provide an opportunity to automatically expunge an individual's record if they have been fully acquitted of all charges as well as automatic sealing of crimes that have been pardoned, until the expungement process is complete. Importantly, House Bill 440 also provides a 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. After passing unanimously in both chambers, the bill, introduced by Representatives Sheryl Delozier (R-88), Joanna McClinton (D-191) and dozens of bipartisan cosponsors, now heads to Governor Wolf’s desk for his signature.
This legislation 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 440 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
“The advent of COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on our economy, particularly amongst those employed in service and hospitality industries. We must do everything in our power to ensure that bureaucracy and red tape do not stand in the way of access to employment,” said Jenna Bottler, Deputy Director of Justice Action Network. “House Bill 440 is an important step towards that goal, prioritizing both public safety and increased opportunities for employment and economic prosperity. I’d like to thank Representative Delozier and Representative McClinton for spearheading this historic legislation, as well as Chairwoman Baker, Senator Bartolotta, Senator Haywood, Senator Street, and Chairman Farnese for their advocacy. I look forward to seeing Governor Wolf sign this bill into law.”