Clean Slate Bill Signed by Governor Wolf
In 2018, Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania signed the Clean Slate Act. With its signing, Pennsylvania became the first state
Frequently Asked Questions about Clean Slate
In 2018, Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania signed the Clean Slate Act. With its signing, Pennsylvania became the first state
Clean Slate is a Game-Changer for Pennsylvania Families
In Pennsylvania, nearly 1 in 3 – or three million – people have a criminal record. Many have only minor convictions, while others have been arrested but never even convicted of a crime. Because of the rise of technology and background-checking, even a minor record can now cause lifelong barriers to opportunity. Records negatively impact…
Clean Slate Will Help Prevent Homelessness in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, homelessness is getting worse On any given day, 15,000 Pennsylvanians experience homelessness. Rates of homelessness in Pennsylvania have increased, especially among veterans, families, and young people. The number of young Pennsylvanians who do not have shelter has increased by a third. Criminal records contribute to homelessness Approximately 4 out of 5 landlords conduct…
A Brief History of Criminal Record Clearing Work Performed By Community Legal Services
In 2018, Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania signed the Clean Slate Act. With its signing, Pennsylvania became the first state
CLS Expungement Presentation
In 2018, Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania signed the Clean Slate Act. With its signing, Pennsylvania became the first state
Clean Slate Takes a Step Forward
On Wednesday, April 11th, Clean Slate moved a step closer to becoming law, when PA House Bill 1419 was passed by the House by a 188-2 vote. The Senate unanimously passed a similar Clean Slate bill, Senate Bill 529, on June 28, 2017. Clean Slate is an extremely important bill for Pennsylvanians with old or…
Reporting Expunged or Sealed Cases in Commercial Background Checks Violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (the FCRA) governs the accuracy of criminal background checks prepared by commercial screeners. While there is not much case law holding that the FCRA prohibits commercial screeners from reporting expunged or sealed cases, there is little doubt that it does. Two FCRA provisions apply: Commercial screeners must use “reasonable procedures”…
Opening Doors: How Philadelphia Area Colleges Can Promote Access and Equity by “Banning the Box”
Young people of color across Pennsylvania are over-criminalized at staggering rates. The consequences for any contact with the juvenile or criminal systems can be severe and long-lasting, while the circumstances that lead to arrest are often minor and may once have been thought of as normal adolescent behavior. The movement to “Ban the Box” on…
We All Benefit from a Clean Slate for Minor Criminal Records
Over the past two decades, even the most minor criminal convictions have become lifetime barriers to the necessities of life – jobs, housing, education, and much more. The most effective public policy strategy to address these many barriers is to eliminate the record. A new proposal known as “Clean Slate” (SB 529/HB 1419) is a…
