On Friday, March 29, President Biden issued a proclamation declaring April 2024 as Second Chance Month. This year’s proclamation comes after CSI’s team has been in direct contact with the White House, advocating for Clean Slate at the federal level. Learn more in this blog post by Reginald Darby, Federal Legislative Director.

The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) continues to advance Clean Slate at the federal level in 2024 — and part of our strategy for that advancement is relationship building on the Hill. Learn more in this blog post by Reginald Darby, Federal Legislative Director.

The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) joined the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 2023 Annual Legislative Conference for the second year in a row, featuring an exciting policy panel, an exclusive reception, and a swag-filled booth in the conference’s exhibit hall. Learn more about our time at #ALC52 in this blog post by Reginald Darby, CSI’s Legislative Director.

We are thrilled to share the exciting highlights of the recent Congressional Briefing, "The Clean Slate Act: A Fresh Start for Second Chances," held on July 26, 2023. Read more in this blog post by Reginald Darby, CSI's Legislative Director.

On April 27, 2023, Congress introduced two bills that could unlock opportunities for millions of people in America: the Clean Slate Act and the Fresh Start Act — two common-sense, bipartisan bills that would finally provide some relief to millions of Americans who often face lifelong economic barriers because of a past federal record. Learn more about the bills in this blog post.

On Thursday, April 27, 2023, the Clean Slate Act and the Fresh Start Act were introduced in U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan sponsorship.

Reps. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Nancy Mace (R-SC) are lead sponsors of the Clean Slate Act, and Reps. Trone (D-MD) and Armstrong (R-ND) are lead sponsors of the Fresh Start Act.

These two substantial, bipartisan criminal justice reform efforts would provide some relief to the millions of people who face barriers because of a past arrest or conviction record.

Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative, issued the following statement in support of the bills…

The end of a year is a natural time for reflection — so let's take a moment to reflect on all the incredible things we accomplished together in 2022.

We're closing out this year with seven active state campaigns and several other states working to launch their own campaigns. This year we passed Clean Slate legislation in Colorado and Oklahoma, and our friends at Californians for Safety and Justice passed legislation in California. Our team also made progress on support for federal Clean Slate legislation. Every day, you work hard to deliver real second chances to folks in your states, and each win – no matter how big or small – fuels the growth of this movement.

As we honor those who served in our armed forces this Veteran’s Day, I think about how we can serve our veterans as well as they have served us. according to the Veterans Justice Commission's preliminary report, “[e]mployment is one of the most well-documented barriers to successful reentry for individuals leaving prison.” Learn more in this blog post by Sheena Meade.

“We applaud President Biden’s executive action pardoning Federal simple marijuana offenses. The action is a good first step in helping working Americans overcome the barriers created by having a conviction on their records.

“Now it’s time for Congress to take the next step. There are tens of thousands more that have past records that are barriers to work, housing and education. It’s time for federal lawmakers to pass the Clean Slate Act, legislation that allows people with an eligible past record who have completed their sentence and stayed crime-free to petition for record sealing and which automates sealing for all low-level drug offenses. ..

Ahead of the committee markup, Sheena Meade, executive director of the Clean Slate Initiative, released the following statement:

“Working families deserve every chance to create a better life for themselves. Unfortunately, one in every three people in our country today has a past arrest or conviction record that impedes their ability to get a job, secure housing, get an education, and otherwise participate in civic life.

“Thankfully, bipartisan support in recent years has led to red, blue, and purple states passing Clean Slate laws that give people a fair chance at meaningful opportunities. Today, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee has an opportunity to ensure people with federal records are not left behind.

…Ahead of the press conference, Sheena Meade, executive director of the Clean Slate Initiative, issued the following statement:

“Congress has the opportunity to increase access to meaningful employment, education, and other opportunities for millions of Americans by passing the Clean Slate Act and the Fresh Start Act. We have seen the transformational impact of Clean Slate laws on millions of working people in the states that have adopted these policies. It’s promising to see Congress building on that momentum and advancing these long overdue measures at the federal level.

“We know that 100 million Americans, one out of every three people in this country, face barriers solely because they have some kind of record. This bipartisan effort to pass Clean Slate Act and the Fresh Start Act would help get people back to work, boost local economies, and save taxpayers money in the long run. It’s time to ensure all Americans are given a fair shot at creating a better life for themselves and their families.”