WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman David Trone (MD-06) held a virtual press conference focused on the importance of second chance legislation alongside lawmakers, impacted individuals, business leaders, and advocates. Trone introduced the Fresh Start Act and cosponsored the Clean Slate Act, both of which are pending in Congress and would streamline the sealing of eligible arrest records. The bipartisan group of lawmakers included Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND).

The press conference addressed the need to pass the Clean Slate and Fresh Start Acts. These bills would expand automated record sealing at the federal and state levels, giving individuals who have served their time and remained crime-free better access to employment, education, and housing. Clean Slate Laws have been enacted across the country, which establish an automated process for sealing or expunging certain criminal history records for people who have turned their lives around and remained crime free. The event included people whose lives would be directly impacted by these reforms, and advocates who can attest to the life-changing effects second chances can have on individuals and communities across the country.

“These are bipartisan jobs bills, and we can’t stress that enough. Millions of people have not had their records expunged, and are precluded from doing so because the current processes are too expensive, time-consuming, and complicated.” said Congressman David Trone. “Because of that, less than ten percent of the individuals who are eligible to have their record cleared have been cleared — so, a ninety percent failure rate. We’re better than that. It’s incredibly unfair; it’s a disservice to those who’ve done their time and deserve a second chance. So we’ve come together in a bipartisan fashion, rolled up our sleeves, and offered two great solutions in this legislation.”

A full recording of the press conference is available here.