H.R. 3114: Clean Slate Act of 2025

The Clean Slate Act of 2025 establishes a process for automatically sealing certain criminal records, particularly those associated with nonviolent offenses and arrests that do not result in convictions. Below is a summary of the key provisions of the proposed bill:

Key Provisions

1. Definitions

Defines a "covered individual" as someone who:

• Is not a sex offender.
• Has been arrested for a federal offense without a conviction or has been convicted of federal nonviolent offenses related to marijuana, provided they have met all sentencing requirements.
• Has no serious criminal convictions including treason, terrorism, or other serious offenses.

2. Automatic Sealing of Records

Records related to certain arrests and nonviolent offenses will be sealed automatically under the following circumstances:

• If an individual is acquitted or not charged within 180 days after an arrest, their records will be sealed.
• For nonviolent marijuana-related federal offenses, records will be sealed one year after the individual completes their sentence.

3. Effects of Sealing

Sealed records will have limited access:

• Generally, sealed records cannot be accessed by the public and do not appear in background checks.
• Individuals with sealed records can access their information and are not required to disclose it in most situations.
• Exceptions exist for law enforcement and court access for investigatory purposes or specific employment roles.

4. Individual's Right to Petition

Eligible individuals may petition to seal additional records associated with nonviolent offenses after meeting specific criteria:

• At least one year after completing their sentence, they can file a petition in district court.
• The petition process includes informing the individual of their eligibility and necessary steps.

5. Reporting and Oversight

District courts must report annually on the number of sealing petitions granted or denied, focusing on equitable access to the sealing process across different demographics.

6. Employer Protection

Employers hiring individuals with sealed records will be protected from liability for claims arising from past misconduct related to those sealed offenses.

7. Implementation and Rulemaking

The Attorney General is tasked with establishing rules to ensure efficient implementation of the bill, including partnerships with organizations to develop technological solutions for record sealing.

Relevant Companies