“We're building a pathway so that automatic record clearance is a reality in all 50 states that will unlock second chances for an additional 14 million people.”
Sheena Meade, CEO of The Clean Slate Initiative
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Clean Slate in the States
Twelve states have passed laws that meet our criteria, most through campaigns led by the Clean Slate Initiative, and there are active campaigns in many more. Learn more about Clean Slate efforts across the country.
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Clean Slate Legislation Criteria
The Clean Slate Initiative and state-based partners build coalitions to pass Clean Slate laws at the state and federal levels. Learn more about the criteria legislation must meet to be considered Clean Slate legislation.
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Policy Information for Lawmakers
State-based efforts rely on partnering with key stakeholders, like local advocates, national partners, businesses, faith communities, state agencies, county clerks, and lawmakers. Learn more about our efforts here.
To date, 12 states have passed laws that meet CSI's criteria for Clean Slate legislation -
Pennsylvania (2018)
Utah (2019)
New Jersey (2019)
Michigan (2020)
Connecticut (2020)
Delaware (2021)
Virginia (2021)
Oklahoma (2022)
Colorado (2022)
California (2022)
Minnesota (2023)
New York (2023)
Clean Slate in the States
Additionally, there are active Clean Slate campaigns in many states, and grassroots work building support for future efforts are underway in states across the country.
Clean Slate Coalition Websites
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.