Everyone should have a fair opportunity to make a living, take care of their families, and participate in their communities. After people have finished their sentences, they should have a fair shot at a future.

Tens of millions of people—including many who were never convicted—face the stigma of a criminal record, even after meeting all legal obligations. These unsealed CORIs unfairly limit access to jobs, housing, education, and full participation in their communities.

An arrest or conviction record should not be a life sentence to poverty, exclusion, and stigma. When our loved ones, friends, neighbors, and community members are barred from fully participating in society and our economy because of a past mistake, we all lose out. We can do better.

The Clean Slate legislation in MA would create a modern, automated system to seal Criminal Offender Record Information (CORIs) as soon as current state laws allow. No more time-intensive red tape and delays with a dated petition-based process. Twelve states already have Clean Slate laws.

Nearly 1 in 5 people in MA have a criminal record—that’s well over 1 million people. Less than 10% of those eligible have sealed records. In MA alone, approximately 672,000 people would benefit this year from a Clean Slate law—getting a second chance to better lives for themselves.

The Clean Slate model works to ensure everyone has a meaningful chance at a better life for themselves and their children. PA, UT, NJ, MI, CT, DE, VA, OK, CO, CA, MN and NY have passed clean slate sealing laws.