Mary Gay Scanlon: “For millions of Americans, a minor or decades-old criminal record can pose an insurmountable barrier to full employment…”

“For millions of Americans, a minor or decades-old criminal record can pose an insurmountable barrier to full employment, housing, and education. All too often, individuals in this situation are unable to get a fresh start because having eligible records sealed or expunged is so burdensome or expensive. Bureaucratic delays and high legal fees perpetuate the cycle of poverty and make it more difficult for people to transition back into society successfully after being incarcerated. That is why I was proud to join Representative David Trone and a bipartisan group of our colleagues from the House and the Senate to introduce legislation last week to help these Americans get the second chances they deserve. The Fresh Start Act of 2021 provides Federal grants for States with record sealing or expungement procedures to help improve their automated record infrastructure. As we rebound from a once-in-a-century pandemic and in the name of fairness and equity, we need to eliminate barriers to employment and champion opportunities for our communities to recover and thrive. ____________________”