Clean Slate Initiative

This bill would automate the process to seal criminal records after the respective waiting periods have been served: 3 years for a misdemeanor and 7 years for a felony, with no criminal activity. As it stands, only 10% of people who could seal actually have sealed since many don’t know how to or if they can seal. Currently the bill is very much alive in the Senate Ways and Means Committee and we are seeking testimony from affected people as to how this legislation could improve their access to jobs, housing, etc. At this time, we’re working in New Bedford, with plans to expand to Fall River to gather stories from people who have a criminal record, whose waiting periods have expired and have been impacted in the area of housing or employment.