Minnesota’s Clean Slate Law: A Fresh Start for 500,000 Minnesotans

On January 1, 2025, Minnesota opened the door to brighter futures for an estimated 500,000 Minnesotans with the implementation of its Clean Slate law. This landmark policy automates the sealing of eligible arrest or conviction records, giving hundreds of thousands of people a second chance.

State lawmakers passed the Clean Slate law in 2023. The law creates a system for eligible records to be automatically sealed once a person has met the necessary requirements — including staying crime-free for a designated period of time. For many, this streamlined process will break down bureaucratic barriers - such as filing petitions, finding legal support, and paying a court fee - that have kept hundreds of thousands of people from even pursuing record sealing long after becoming eligible for expungement.

Minnesota is one of 12 states that have passed Clean Slate laws, and is among the first several states to implement their automated record sealing policy. In all 12 states that have passed Clean Slate laws, 14 million people are eligible for a fully cleared record. Additionally, a recent survey found that people who benefit from Clean Slate record sealing have reported positive impacts in their lives, including in employment, family relationships, and mental health.

While the new law is a major step forward, public awareness remains a challenge. The state does not have a process to notify individuals when their record is sealed, potentially leaving many unaware of their changed status. Currently, Minnesotans can verify their record status by either visiting the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) in St. Paul or submitting a notarized mail-in application along with a fee — processes that may be inaccessible for some.

Community groups are stepping in to address these gaps. Local advocates are working tirelessly to educate Minnesotans about their rights and the benefits of Clean Slate through outreach, storytelling, and public education campaigns. Organizations like Until We Are All Free and T.O.N.E. U.P. Inc. are committed to ensuring Minnesotans understand the benefits of the Clean Slate law and have access to the opportunities it creates.

For people living with an old arrest or conviction record in Minnesota, this moment represents a significant step toward a fairer justice system and a society where people are no longer defined by their past.

Minnesota’s Clean Slate law is more than just a policy — it’s a pathway to second chances and stronger communities. We celebrate this victory and look forward to continuing our work with Clean Slate advocates in Minnesota to ensure everyone who is eligible for Clean Slate receives a fresh start.