Dr. Laura Chavez, CSI, Provides Written Testimony on Maryland Expungement Bills

Maryland is considering two bills that would improve the state’s expungement process: SB 432 (Expungement Reform Act of 2025) and SB 398 (Criminal Procedure - Automatic Expungement). Dr. Laura Chavez, CSI’s Director of Research & Data, submitted written testimony to Maryland’s Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of both bills. Read each testimony below.

Senate Bill 432 (Expungement Reform Act of 2025) seeks to remove barriers preventing individuals on probation from expungement eligibility, a restriction reinforced by the state’s Abhishek court case. Our testimony highlights that technical probation violations, such as missed appointments or unpaid fees, should not disqualify individuals from record clearance, as they disproportionately impact thousands of Marylanders. By passing SB 432, Maryland can expand economic opportunities, reduce barriers for families, and strengthen communities, ensuring that record relief policies align with the state’s commitment to second chances.

Senate Bill 398, which aims to implement automated expungement for eligible records. Our testimony highlights the significant barriers that past records create in employment, housing, and economic stability, emphasizing that Maryland’s current petition-based system is inaccessible for most individuals. If enacted, Clean Slate legislation would provide record relief to 407,000 Marylanders on day one, reducing racial disparities and unlocking an estimated $1.5 billion in taxable income. The testimony urges lawmakers to pass SB 398, citing the success of similar policies in other states and the bipartisan benefits of automatic record clearance.

For more information on Clean Slate efforts in Maryland, visit the Clean Slate Maryland website.