Latest Stories
Here’s what we've been up to recently.
New Report Details How Court Fees Create Barriers
The court system has a history of valuing money over deservingness. Expensive court fees and fines add up quickly, which places low-income Americans at a greater likelihood of poverty than expunction. A criminal record places barriers on housing, jobs, and licensing opportunities, making the path to a fresh start only possible for people who have the finances to pay off all court debts and fees.
Rommy Kassim
3/17/2022
Federal Government "Ban The Box" Policy Is Now In Effect
The "Ban the Box" policy is now officially in effect for the federal government. This policy is aimed at supporting qualified candidates with criminal histories to compete for employment by barring the requirement of discussion and reporting of such criminal histories until after a conditional offer of employment.
Rommy Kassim
3/15/2022
RI Introduces Marijuana Legalization Bill
Rhode Island is following in the footsteps of the many states seeking to reap the benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana with the introduction of a legalization bill that also includes a "Social Equity" measure which will provide the means to expunge the records of those with prior convictions.
Rommy Kassim
3/13/2022
Almost Half Of Unemployed Men Have This In Common
With the rates of arrests rising to nearly one in three adults in the United States, employers may want to reconsider the implications of criminal histories in potential employees. A recent study discovered that almost half of the United States' unemployed men have criminal records.
Rommy Kassim
3/11/2022
Oklahoma HB 3316 Would Streamline Record-Clearing Process
Ranking third in the country for overall incarceration rates, Oklahoma is seeking to reform its criminal justice system. HB3316, the "Clean Slate" law, would provide automatic expunctions for those eligible for the program, streamlining the record-clearing process. Currently, Oklahoma provides the option of expunction to eligible individuals.
Rommy Kassim
3/9/2022
Ann Arbor Is Using Marijuana Tax Revenue To Fund Expunction Program
Ann Arbor, MI is revolutionizing its criminal justice system by utilizing marijuana tax revenue to fund free expunctions for qualifying participants. In an effort to rehabilitate and empower those with criminal histories, the city of Ann Arbor is offering record clearing at no cost for the removal of previous misdemeanor and felony charges in just a few simple steps.
Rommy Kassim
3/7/2022
Alabama Decriminalization And Expunction Bill Passes
There's been a lot of talk about marijuana policy reforms in Alabama, but the approval of a new bill that would decriminalize and provide expungements for marijuana-related charges offers real hope for Alabamians living with outdated convictions on their criminal record. The proposed legislation is sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton (D), and is currently awaiting approval from the Senate.
Rommy Kassim
3/5/2022
WV HB 4522 Would Allow Automatic Expunctions
West Virginia's House of Delegates recently adopted the bill HB 4522 that provides automatic expunction for those with qualifying criminal records. Although state law already allows for expunction via petitioning the court, this new house bill will help expedite the process and maximize the use of expunction.
Rommy Kassim
2/26/2022
NY Law Suits Claim Amazon and Gap Violated Laws
A criminal conviction shouldn't weigh heavier than a skillset, and it's time for major companies to enforce better assessments of qualifications. Amazon.com Inc and The Gap are facing proposed class-action lawsuits for allegedly violating the New York state law that prohibits employers from denying jobs based on an individual's criminal record.
Rommy Kassim
2/20/2022
EEOC and OFCCP Launch H.I.R.E.
Good news for those struggling to find work: The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) have announced the Hiring Initiative to Reimagine Equity (HIRE), a multi-year effort to expand employment access to workers from predominantly underrepresented communities.
Rommy Kassim
2/17/2022
Indiana HB 1214 Would Expunge Qualifying Evictions
Indiana is currently working on a bill, HB 1214, which would significantly help those denied housing due to past eviction records. HB 1214 would allow people to request expunctions for eviction filings in situations where the case was dismissed, the judgement ended up in their favor, or the landlord took no action within 180 days of the filing.
Rommy Kassim
2/14/2022
NYC Job Listings Will Require Minimum And Maximum Salaries
To promote job and career transparency, New York City employers will soon be required to include minimum and maximum salaries on all job postings for positions performed within the city. The law was passed on January 15, 2022, and will go into effect on May 15th. As this law goes into effect, employers must include a "good faith" salary range for all job opportunities within the city.
Rommy Kassim
2/11/2022