Our Mission

The Clean Slate Initiative passes and implements laws that automatically clear eligible records for people who have completed their sentence and remained crime-free, and expands who is eligible for clearance.

Our Vision

People will no longer be defined by their records and will have the opportunity to contribute to their community, have a fair opportunity to work, get an education, and achieve their full potential.

Our Impact

14+
Million

are eligible for full record sealing in the 12 Clean Slate states once the laws are implemented.

15+
Million

are eligible for full or partial record sealing.

37 Percent

of the more than 14 million people in America eligible for full record sealing are people of color.

Notable Data Points

Nearly 1 in 3 adults in the United States
has an arrest or conviction record that limits their ability to work, obtain housing, and engage in civic life. Having a record, even an arrest record, is a significant barrier to economic mobility.
94% of employers and 90% of landlords
use background checks to screen applicants for an arrest or conviction record.
72% of colleges and universities
use background checks to screen prospective students.
There are more than 42,000 state and federal regulatory restrictions
that limit the ability of people with a record to access meaningful opportunities to build a better life.
$78 - $87 billion
is the estimated loss in gross domestic product every year resulting from shutting people with records out of the workforce.
Nearly 50%
is the percentage by which an arrest or conviction record reduces a job seeker’s chance of getting a callback or job offer.
11% and 22%
the average percentages for the increased likelihood of employment and increase in wages, respectively, for people one year after receiving record clearance.
Less than 10%
of people get their records cleared within five years of becoming eligible.

CSI Resources

The CSI Data Dashboard

CSI’s data model is the first of its kind, allowing researchers, lawmakers, advocates, and the public to estimate the individual-level impacts of Clean Slate laws broken down by race, ethnicity, sex, and types of records.

Research Brief: Awareness of Clean Slate Laws in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan

March 21, 2025
For the states that have begun implementing, one big question comes up often: “Do people know about Clean Slate?” Our latest research brief focuses on answering this question in three Clean Slate states: Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan. Learn more in this research brief from Dr. Laura Chavez, Director of Research & Data.

Bipartisan Support for Clean Slate Laws Among People with Records in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan

January 30, 2025
Clean Slate laws, designed to automatically seal eligible records, are overwhelmingly supported by people from across the political spectrum, especially people who have a record themselves. Learn more in this research brief by Dr. Laura Chavez, Director of Research & Data, which draws on a recent survey of 800 people with arrest and conviction records in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan.

Automatic Record Clearance Removes Barriers and Delivers Improvements for People with Records

October 30, 2024
Clean Slate laws shift the burden of clearance from individuals to the state — eliminating the barriers of navigating a complex, costly, and often inaccessible petition-based system. Learn more in this research brief by Dr. Laura Chavez, Director of Research & Data, which draws on a recent survey of 800 people with arrest and conviction records in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan.

Reforming Waiting Periods: Fostering Equity and Unleashing Employment Opportunities

March 21, 2024
Shortening waiting periods for record clearance increases the employability of qualified workers, which improves the economy, strengthens businesses, and transforms the lives of those seeking a meaningful career. Learn more about the importance of reforming waiting periods in this policy short by The Clean Slate Initiative.

The Impacts of Clean Slate Laws in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan

October 30, 2024
Earlier this year, CSI commissioned a survey to learn more about the impacts of Clean Slate laws in PA, UT, and MI — three states that have implemented Clean Slate. We aimed to gauge the impact that having a record has had on people’s lives, their awareness of Clean Slate laws, their eligibility for record sealing, and the impacts they have experienced thus far from their state’s Clean Slate law.

Clean Slate Laws: Pathways to Equity and Justice for Black Communities in America

February 15, 2024
To date, in the 12 states that have passed Clean Slate laws, more than 2 million Black adults are eligible to have their records fully cleared. Learn more about the impact of Clean Slate laws on Black communities in this policy short by The Clean Slate Initiative.

Other Reliable Resources

Clean Slate Clearinghouse

The National Reentry Resource Center’s tool for comparing record clearance policies across states.

NICCC

The National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction (NICCC) catalogs the collateral consequences imposed by the statutes and regulations of all fifty states, the federal system, and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The NICCC is a part of the National Reentry Resource Center.

Collateral Consequences Resource Center

Restoration of Rights Project

50-State Comparison: Expungement, Sealing & Other Record Relief

The Paper Prisons Initiative

The Paper Prisons Initiative conducts empirical research to measure, study, and narrow the Second Chance Gap - the difference between eligibility and delivery of relief from the criminal justice system. This website provides reports and information on state “second chance expungement gaps” - the difference between eligibility and delivery of expungement.

Glossary of Terms

Record Sealing Explained

Nearly all states have a record clearance process. The terminology varies from state to state, with sealing, expunging, and clearing being among the most commonly used terms. While each term has distinct legal meanings and criteria, they are often used interchangeably, and they all broadly describe the same process: restricting public access to arrest and conviction records.

The eligibility criteria for record clearance varies by state - yet typically hinges on factors like record or conviction type, time elapsed, and completion of sentencing.

In most states, the onus is on the individual to initiate the process, which often requires:

  • Awareness of the process and personal eligibility for record clearance;
  • Filing a petition with a court;
  • Attending court proceedings, potentially taking time off of work;
  • Hiring an attorney;
  • Navigating bureaucratic processes; and,
  • Monitoring record clearance to verify that the appropriate agencies have accurately updated records in accordance with the court's orders.

The process is inefficient and burdensome for most people. As a result, less than 10 percent of those eligible for relief actually receive it.

Clean Slate laws streamline record clearance by automating the process and shifting the burden to the state to ensure everyone who is eligible for record clearance receives it. Doing so alleviates the strain on court resources and removes the socioeconomic barriers to accessing record relief.

Criteria for Clean Slate Legislation

The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) and state-based partners build coalitions to pass Clean Slate laws at the state and federal levels. While CSI advocates for expansive and comprehensive record clearance legislation, the minimum criteria a state law must meet to meet CSI standards include:

  • Automation of record clearance;
  • Automatic clearance upon eligibility of the record (noting that eligibility varies from state to state);
  • Inclusion of arrest records;
  • Inclusion of misdemeanor records; and,
  • A strong recommendation for laws to include eligibility of at least one felony record.

Press Releases & Updates

Our Latest Press Releases

New Survey Confirms Impact of Clean Slate Policies in Utah, Pennsylvania, and Michigan

October 30, 2024

The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) today announces the results of a groundbreaking survey that provides the first comprehensive confirmation of the effectiveness of Clean Slate policies in Utah, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

The Clean Slate Initiative Applauds the Filing of Senate Companion Bill to H.R. 2930, The Clean Slate Act of 2023

September 26, 2024

The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) celebrates the introduction of S. 5266, sponsored by Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Bob Casey (D-PA). The legislation is the Senate companion bill to H.R. 2930, The Clean Slate Act of 2023, and its filing represents a major bipartisan achievement, standing out amidst the heightened partisanship of election season. Read more in this press release.

Governor Moore's Pardons Mark Another Step Forward for Maryland

June 17, 2024

Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced executive actions granting pardons for misdemeanor convictions for possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia.

New Data Model Sheds Light on the Depth of America's Arrest and Conviction Records Crisis

March 26, 2024

In a breakthrough for public policy creation, a new data model unveiled by The Clean Slate Initiative (CSI) offers detailed insights into the crisis of arrest and conviction records in America. The data model powers The CSI Data Dashboard, which presents data visualizations and population estimates for people in the U.S. impacted by arrest and conviction records, with data further broken down by race, ethnicity, sex, and type of record within each state and over time.

Governor Shapiro Signs Pennsylvania's Clean Slate Expansion Bill

December 14, 2023

The Pennsylvania state legislature passed HB 689, legislation that builds on the state’s groundbreaking 2018 Clean Slate law by expanding access to second-chance opportunities for people with felony convictions. The bill passed with broad bipartisan support and was immediately signed into law earlier today by Governor Josh Shapiro.

Our Latest Updates

Sealing the Past & Opening Doors to Opportunity: Second Chance Month 2025

April 1, 2025

At CSI, we’re proud to join the nation in observing Second Chance Month. Learn more in this message from Dr. Sheena Meade, CEO.

Clean Slate Laws Are Changing Lives in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Utah — But Many Aren’t Aware of Them

March 21, 2025

For the states that have begun implementing, one big question comes up often: “Do people know about Clean Slate?” Our latest research brief focuses on answering this question in three Clean Slate states: Pennsylvania, Utah, and Michigan. Learn more about our latest research brief in this update from Dr. Laura Chavez, Director of Research & Data.

Clean Slate Storyteller Series

CSI Executive Leadership

Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Vice President of State and Federal Campaigns
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Chief of Staff

More About Dr. Sheena Meade

Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative, is a walking barrier breaker and one of America’s leading experts on legal system reform.

In April of 2023, CSI received a landmark financial commitment through The Audacious Project, a donor collaborative housed at TED. The award supports the organization’s strategy to unlock opportunities for up to 14 million people in America and is an unprecedented investment in second chances. As part of the announcement from The Audacious Project, Sheena presented a TED talk at the TED2023 Conference in Vancouver, BC. Watch Sheena’s TED Talk.  Read more about CSI’s $75 million commitment catalyzed by The Audacious Project.

Sheena is regularly featured in media such as Ebony, CNN, PBS News, Newsweek, and more as one of America’s most influential and dynamic nonprofit leaders, women empowerment experts, and the premier voice for criminal justice reform. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Public Welfare Foundation and also sits on the boards of the Policing Project at NYU School of Law; Live Free USA; and the Florida Coalition on Black Civic Engagement.