More than 70 million Americans with low-level and non-violent federal criminal records would receive a second chance to fully participate in society under a bipartisan bill cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA).
“Nearly one in three American adults have some type of criminal record, often low-level, nonviolent offenses that present significant obstacles to employment, as well as housing and education,” Rep. Reschenthaler said. “It is even more important to pass this bill and empower Americans to reignite our economy by re-entering the workforce as our nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The congressman on April 28 introduced the Clean Slate Act of 2021, H.R. 2864, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) to require automatic sealing of certain criminal records, according to the congressional record bill summary. U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) on April 27 introduced the companion bill, S. 1380, in their chamber.
If enacted, the bill would remove specific employment, housing and education barriers by automatically sealing the federal records of individuals convicted of low-level, non-violent drug offenses after they successfully complete their sentence, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Reschenthaler’s office.
“During my time in the State Senate, I helped Pennsylvania pass its own Clean Slate law to end the revolving door between jail and the streets, and I am proud to continue that effort at the federal level,” said Rep. Reschenthaler. “I look forward to working with Representative Blunt Rochester to get this legislation over the finish line and provide individuals who have already paid their debts to society with a fresh start.”
The Center for American Progress, the Faith and Freedom Coalition, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Americans for Tax Reform, the Brennan Center for Justice, the Justice Action Network, and the Responsible Business Initiative are among several entities that have endorsed the proposed bill.