Take Action! Support the Clean Slate Act and the Fresh Start Act!

States have led the way in passing Clean Slate automation policies, putting more than 16 million people on the path to having a fully sealed record in the 12 states and Washington, D.C. that have passed Clean Slate legislation. Now, it’s time for Congress to act!

Send a message to your members of Congress, urging them to support the bipartisan Clean Slate Act of 2025 and the Fresh Start Act, which would open grant opportunities for states with Clean Slate laws on the books.

Dear [Lawmaker],

There are 70-100 million adults in the U.S. with a past legal record. Most records are for low-level offenses or arrests that never resulted in a conviction. Even still, any record makes it harder for the average American to access meaningful employment, safe housing, continued education, and other opportunities. That’s why I urge you to support the Clean Slate Act (S. 1580, H.R. 3114) and the Fresh Start Act (H.R. 3111) - two bipartisan proposals recently introduced in Congress.

Most states have a process for sealing a past record once people meet the requirements, allowing them to move forward with their lives. However, there is no process for sealing a federal record, no matter how minor or long ago the offense.

The Clean Slate Act of 2025 would change that. The Clean Slate Act would create the first-ever process for sealing low-level conviction records, including an automated process to seal nonviolent federal marijuana records.

In recent years, 12 states and Washington, D.C., have passed Clean Slate laws and are streamlining the record-sealing process so that more people receive meaningful second chances once they have paid for their mistakes and are ready to move forward with their lives. As a result, over 16 million people are on the path to having a fully sealed record, opening opportunities for them to build better lives for themselves and those who depend on them.

The Fresh Start Act would allow states that have passed Clean Slate laws to apply for federal grants supporting technical and infrastructure upgrades and making processes more efficient.

The Clean Slate Act and the Fresh Start Act are prime examples of lawmakers working across the aisle to get things done. I urge you to support this common-sense solution to make communities safer by ensuring that a past mistake doesn’t become a life sentence of poverty for our neighbors and loved ones.

Sincerely,
______

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