Since 2018, 20 states have passed legislation to automatically clear eligible criminal records. Here's how the movement has grown.
Clean Slate laws automatically expunge or seal eligible criminal records after a waiting period, without requiring individuals to file a petition or pay court fees.
Before Clean Slate, expungement required navigating complex legal paperwork, paying filing fees, and often hiring an attorney. Studies show that less than 10% of eligible people successfully petitioned for expungement under manual systems.
Automatic expungement removes these barriers, helping millions of people access employment, housing, and education opportunities without the burden of an old record.
20
Total States
15
Active
5
Pending
Clean Slate Act(Act 56 of 2018)
Enacted
Jun 28, 2018
Effective
Jun 28, 2019
First state to pass Clean Slate legislation. Automatically seals certain non-violent misdemeanors and second/third-degree felonies after 10 years crime-free.
View State Guide →Utah Automatic Expungement Act(HB 431)
Enacted
Mar 28, 2019
Effective
Feb 1, 2022
Automatic expungement for acquittals, dismissals, and certain misdemeanors after waiting periods.
View State Guide →Criminal Record Expungement Act(HB 547)
Enacted
Jun 14, 2019
Effective
Jun 14, 2019
Allows expungement of arrests not leading to conviction and certain misdemeanors/felonies after waiting periods.
View State Guide →Consumer Background Record Check(AB 1076)
Enacted
Oct 8, 2019
Effective
Jan 1, 2022
Automatic record relief for arrests without conviction and certain eligible convictions. First major automatic expungement system in populous state.
View State Guide →Clean Slate Law(A2879)
Enacted
Dec 18, 2019
Effective
Jun 15, 2020
Expanded expungement eligibility and added automatic expungement for marijuana offenses.
View State Guide →Second Chance Act(S 562)
Enacted
Jul 2, 2020
Effective
Dec 1, 2021
Automatic expungement for dismissed charges and acquittals. Expanded eligibility for petition-based expungement.
View State Guide →Clean Slate Act(HB 5042)
Enacted
Jun 23, 2021
Effective
Jan 1, 2023
Automatic erasure of criminal records after completion of sentence and waiting period. Covers most misdemeanors and Class D felonies.
View State Guide →Clean Slate Law(HB 4980-4985)
Enacted
Oct 1, 2021
Effective
Apr 11, 2023
Automatic expungement begins April 2023. Up to 2 felonies and 4 misdemeanors can be set aside automatically.
View State Guide →Clean Slate Act(HB 380)
Enacted
Dec 29, 2021
Effective
Jan 1, 2024
Automatic expungement for eligible misdemeanors after 7 years and certain felonies after 10 years.
View State Guide →Automatic Criminal Record Expungement(SB 397)
Enacted
Jan 1, 2022
Effective
Jul 1, 2023
Automatic expungement for Class C felonies (7 years), Class A/B misdemeanors (5 years), and Class C misdemeanors (1 year).
View State Guide →Clean Record Act(HB 3316)
Enacted
May 4, 2022
Effective
Nov 1, 2022
Automatic expungement for nonviolent offenses. Covers arrests not resulting in charges and certain misdemeanors/felonies.
View State Guide →Clean Slate Act(H.534)
Enacted
May 26, 2022
Effective
Jul 1, 2024
Automatic expungement for qualifying crimes after waiting periods. System implementation underway.
View State Guide →Clean Slate Act(HB 22-1214)
Enacted
Jun 3, 2022
Effective
Jan 1, 2024
Automatic sealing for civil infractions, petty offenses, drug misdemeanors, and certain other eligible offenses.
View State Guide →Automatic Record Sealing(HB 1055)
Enacted
Feb 24, 2023
Effective
Jul 1, 2024
Automatic sealing for certain misdemeanor convictions and arrests without conviction.
View State Guide →Clean Slate Bill(SB 166)
Enacted
Mar 29, 2023
Effective
Jan 1, 2026
Automatic expungement for Class D felonies and misdemeanors after waiting periods. Implementation scheduled for 2026.
View State Guide →Virginia Cannabis Control Authority(HB 2312)
Enacted
Mar 31, 2023
Effective
Jul 1, 2025
Automatic sealing of marijuana-related offenses. Broader automatic expungement legislation pending.
View State Guide →Record Sealing Law(Act 488)
Enacted
Apr 10, 2023
Effective
Jan 1, 2024
Automatic sealing for eligible nonviolent offenses after waiting periods.
View State Guide →Clean Slate Act(S7551A)
Enacted
May 12, 2023
Effective
Nov 16, 2024
Automatic sealing of most convictions after 3-8 year waiting periods. Covers misdemeanors (3 years) and felonies (8 years).
View State Guide →Clean Slate Act(SF 3035)
Enacted
May 19, 2023
Effective
Jan 1, 2025
Automatic expungement for qualifying offenses. Implementation begins January 2025.
View State Guide →Clean Slate Act(HB 2096)
Enacted
Jun 9, 2023
Effective
Jun 30, 2026
Automatic sealing for eligible offenses. Full implementation expected by 2026, with automatic sealing of dismissals/acquittals beginning 2029.
View State Guide →Not all states have Clean Slate laws yet. Check your state's current expungement options and find out if automatic expungement is coming.
Check Your State →Clean Slate laws provide for automatic expungement or sealing of criminal records after a waiting period, without requiring individuals to petition the court. This removes barriers to employment, housing, and education for people with old records.
Pennsylvania passed the first Clean Slate law in the United States in June 2018. Act 56 of 2018 automatically seals certain non-violent misdemeanors and felonies after 10 years.
As of 2024, 20 states have passed Clean Slate or automatic expungement legislation. More states are considering similar reforms.
Eligibility varies by state, but most Clean Slate laws cover non-violent misdemeanors and lower-level felonies after waiting periods of 3-10 years. Violent crimes and sex offenses are typically excluded.