Dec. 14, 2023
HARRISBURG – Two pieces of legislation that would grant second chances to deserving Pennsylvanians and make significant updates to Pennsylvania’s probation and parole law passed the General Assembly this week, according to Rep. Sheryl M. Delozier (R-Cumberland).
House Bill 689 is a Clean Slate expansion bill which would add to the original legislation authored by Delozier and Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) by including the sealing of details in certain low-level, nonviolent felony drug crimes after 10 years without recidivism. Senate Bill 838 would promote fairness and limit excessive incarceration by establishing a mandatory probation review conference to consider an individual’s educational, employment or other goals. This conference may be waived on a case-by-case basis when all stakeholders agree it is unnecessary.
“I am encouraged to see both our House Bill 689 and
Senate Bill 838, which contains an amendment I offered, advance to the governor’s desk,” said Delozier. “These are prime examples of strong criminal justice reform bills which would build upon and improve smart public policy. If signed into law, these bills will be meaningful victories for criminal justice reform, an issue I have been passionate about for decades.
“I hope the governor recognizes the many years we have been working to achieve this legislative goal and sees the positive social, economic and personal change these bills would bring about in our communities and acts quickly to sign them into law. The bottom line for both bills, is promoting fairness and creating second chances for Pennsylvanians who have shown they deserve a pathway out of the criminal justice system.”
Delozier and Harris sponsored the nation’s first-ever Clean Slate bill. Since its passage in 2018, nine other states have adopted similar legislation. Today, 1.2 million Pennsylvanians and counting have received a second chance from Clean Slate Law with eligible cases sealed.
The bills have received broad bipartisan, bicameral support with no stakeholder groups voicing opposition to expanding Clean Slate.
Questions about these bills and other state-related issues can be directed to Delozier’s office at 717-761-4665.