WEDNESDAY: LAWMAKERS, ADVOCATES TO TALK JOBS, PUBLIC SAFETY, EXPUNGEMENT EXPANSION AT PRESS CONFERENCE AMID SECOND CHANCE MONTH
Pennsylvania Led The Nation With First Automated Expungement Law in 2018, as Movement Gains National Momentum Lawmakers Seek Expansion
Harrisburg, PA – A bipartisan coalition of criminal justice advocates, national policy experts, and state lawmakers are calling for passage of legislation to expand Pennsylvania’s groundbreaking automated expungement system. On Wednesday, this coalition will host a press conference in the Capitol Media Center to discuss the state’s current system, initial outcomes, and the bill’s proposed changes.
In 2018, Pennsylvania became a national leader in bipartisan criminal justice reform when state lawmakers passed the country’s first Clean Slate law. Since then, nine other states have followed suit, eleven more are considering legislation now, and recent studies prove automated expungement policies create significant economic opportunities wherever they are passed without compromising public safety.
Recently-filed bill HB 689, sponsored by Representatives Jordan Harris (D-Phila.) and Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland), would build on that 2018 framework to expand automated expungements to more Pennsylvanians who have proven they can remain crime free.
Sponsors of the bill, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Tim Briggs (D-King of Prussia), Executive Director of the Justice Action Network Jenna Bottler, and others will offer comments and answer questions on the bill, Pennsylvania’s history of leadership on expungement, the state’s current expungement framework, and more.
Who:
Rep. Sheryl Delozier
Rep. Jordan Harris
Rep. Tim Briggs
Jenna Bottler, Executive Director, Justice Action Network
Greg Rowe, Executive Director, Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association
Alex Halper, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
Sharon Dietrich, Community Legal Services
What: Clean Slate Expansion Press Conference
Where: Capitol Media Center, Room 1 East Wing, Harrisburg, PA 17126
When: Wednesday, April 26th, at 11 am EST
Officials, participants available for interviews