The Clean Slate Act aims to improve public safety by creating an automatic expungement process for certain offenders, thereby simplifying the procedure for clearing criminal records. The bill introduces new legal language that allows individuals to qualify for automatic expungement without needing to file a petition if they meet specific criteria, such as having all charges dismissed or successfully completing a diversion program. It also modifies waiting periods for expungements that require a petition, reducing the waiting period for certain misdemeanors from four years to three years and establishing a five-year waiting period for felonies classified as gross misdemeanors or misdemeanors. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will identify eligible records and grant expungement relief, ensuring an efficient and accessible process.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to clarify eligibility criteria for expungement, including new provisions for certain theft offenses and the establishment of a database to track expunged records. It modifies the process for deferring prosecution for first-time drug offenders and clarifies the admissibility of criminal history in civil actions against employers when records have been sealed due to automatic expungement. The legislation includes appropriations for the Supreme Court and the Commissioner of Public Safety to support the expungement process, with various effective dates for the changes, some as early as July 1, 2023, and others on January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025. Overall, the Clean Slate Act seeks to provide a more equitable and streamlined approach to expunging criminal records, facilitating individuals' reintegration into society.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 609A.02, 13.871, 152.18, 299C.10, 299C.111, 299C.17, 609A.01, 609A.03, 611A.03
1st Engrossment: 609A.02, 13.871, 152.18, 181.981, 299C.10, 299C.111, 299C.17, 609A.01, 609A.03, 611A.03
1st Engrossment: 609A.02, 13.871, 152.18, 181.981, 299C.10, 299C.111, 299C.17, 609A.01, 609A.03, 611A.03