The Center Square: Stalemates marred progress in Pa.'s 2019-20 legislative session
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Despite the many disagreements, Wolf and legislators came together on passing a slate of bills overhauling the justice system and giving many residents with criminal convictions new employment and housing opportunities.
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Legislators also updated the state’s landmark Clean Slate Act, first signed in 2018, with a bill that seals records for individuals unconditionally pardoned or fully acquitted following a trial. The Justice Action Network estimates the change affects between 1 percent and 5 percent of cases across the state each year.
The bill also clarifies that records can be sealed after an individual pays restitution. Underlying court fees associated with the conviction do not bar a case from being sealed, according to JAN, potentially opening up the process to “tens of thousands” of residents.
The original Clean Slate Act 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. Doing so allows residents to apply for jobs or housing without fear of their previous records equaling automatic disqualification.
In the 19 months since the law became effective, 47 million criminal offenses – more than half the charges listed in the state’s court database – have been sealed. And several others states have followed in Pennsylvania’s footsteps by passing Clean Slate Acts of their own.