# Clean Slate Implementation Timeline Tracking automatic expungement laws by state with implementation dates. ## Active Clean Slate Laws (as of 2026) ### 2018 **Pennsylvania** - First in the nation - Signed: June 28, 2018 - Effective: June 28, 2019 - Coverage: - Non-conviction records (arrests) - Summary offenses after 10 years arrest-free - Misdemeanor convictions (2nd, 3rd degree) after 10 years - Exclusions: Felonies, violent crimes, sex offenses - Source: 18 Pa.C.S. § 9122.2 ### 2019 **Utah** - Signed: March 29, 2019 - Effective: May 1, 2020 - Coverage: - Acquittals and dismissals (automatic) - Arrests without charges - Note: Does NOT cover convictions automatically (petition required) - Source: Utah Code 77-40a **New Jersey** - Signed: December 18, 2019 - Effective: June 15, 2020 - Coverage: - Most criminal convictions after 10 years - Disorderly persons offenses - Municipal ordinance violations - Exclusions: Murder, sex crimes, robbery, other violent offenses - Source: N.J.S.A. 2C:52-5.1 ("Clean Slate Law") ### 2020 **Michigan** - Signed: October 12, 2020 - Effective: April 11, 2021 - Coverage: - Arrests after 7 years - Misdemeanor convictions after 7 years - Up to 2 felony convictions after 10 years - Exclusions: Assaultive crimes, crimes > 10 years max, traffic offenses - Source: MCL 780.621g **California** - Signed: October 8, 2020 (AB 1076) - Effective: January 1, 2021 - Coverage: - Arrests not leading to conviction (after 3 years) - Completion of sentence/probation (automatic relief) - Exclusions: Registration offenses, cases with victims opposed - Source: PC 1203.425 ### 2021 **Connecticut** - Signed: June 22, 2021 (PA 21-32) - Effective: January 1, 2023 - Coverage: - Most misdemeanors after 7 years - Class D and E felonies after 10 years - Exclusions: Class A-C felonies, sex offenses, family violence - Note: One of the most comprehensive laws - Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 54-142e **Delaware** - Signed: July 29, 2021 - Effective: July 29, 2021 - Coverage: - Misdemeanor convictions after 7 years - Some felonies after 10 years - Exclusions: Violent felonies, sex offenses - Source: 11 Del. C. § 4373 **Virginia** - Signed: March 31, 2021 (SB 5034) - Effective: July 1, 2021 - Coverage: - Limited automatic sealing - Certain misdemeanors after waiting period - Exclusions: DUI, domestic violence, many felonies - Note: Implementation phased, ongoing - Source: Va. Code 19.2-392.12 ### 2022 **Oklahoma** - Signed: May 25, 2022 - Effective: November 1, 2022 - Coverage: - Nonviolent misdemeanors after 5 years - Nonviolent felonies after 5-15 years (depending on level) - Exclusions: Violent crimes, sex offenses - Source: 22 O.S. § 19c **Colorado** - Signed: May 31, 2022 - Effective: January 1, 2024 - Coverage: - Certain misdemeanors automatic sealing - Drug offenses expanded eligibility - Exclusions: Violent crimes, sex offenses - Source: CRS 24-72-710.5 ### 2023 **New York** - Signed: November 16, 2023 - Effective dates: - Misdemeanors: November 16, 2024 - Felonies (Class D/E): November 16, 2027 - Coverage: - Most misdemeanors after 3 years - Class D and E felonies after 8 years - Exclusions: Sex offenses, Class A-C felonies, violent felonies - Note: Largest impact due to population - Source: CPL 160.57 **Minnesota** - Signed: May 19, 2023 - Effective: January 1, 2025 - Coverage: - Petty misdemeanors, misdemeanors after 2 years - Gross misdemeanors after 4 years - Some felonies after 5-7 years - Exclusions: Murder, criminal sexual conduct, DUI - Source: Minn. Stat. 609A.015 ### 2024 **Maryland** - Signed: May 16, 2024 - Effective: October 1, 2024 - Coverage: - Expanded automatic sealing - Certain misdemeanors and felonies - Details: Implementation regulations pending - Source: Md. Code, Crim. Proc. § 10-301 **Illinois** - Signed: August 9, 2024 - Effective: January 1, 2025 - Coverage: - Extensive automatic sealing - Most misdemeanors - Many Class 3 and 4 felonies - Exclusions: Sex offenses, violent crimes, DUI - Source: 20 ILCS 2630/5.2 ### 2025 **Oregon** - Signed: July 1, 2025 - Effective: January 1, 2026 - Coverage: - Arrests and dismissals (automatic after 3 years) - Many misdemeanors (automatic after 3 years) - Some felonies (automatic after 7-10 years) - Exclusions: Person felonies, Class A felonies, sex offenses - Source: ORS 137.225(12) --- ## Pending/Proposed Clean Slate Legislation ### Under Consideration (2026) - **Massachusetts**: Multiple bills introduced - **Washington**: SB 5180 (2023) discussion ongoing - **Nevada**: AB 192 (2023) partial implementation - **Texas**: Limited bills (nondisclosure expansion) - **Florida**: Advocacy campaigns active ### Failed/Stalled - **Ohio**: Multiple bills failed to advance - **Arizona**: SB 1294 (2020) did not pass - **Wisconsin**: No automatic mechanism possible under current law --- ## Implementation Patterns ### What "Automatic" Actually Means **Truly Automatic**: - State agency reviews records systematically - No petition or action required from individual - Records updated on set schedule - Examples: PA, NJ, CT, MI **Semi-Automatic**: - Triggered by completion of sentence/probation - May require verification by probation officer - Individual may need to confirm eligibility - Examples: CA, OK **Automatic Notification**: - Individual notified of eligibility - Still must petition or confirm - Simplified petition process - Examples: Some VA provisions ### Timeline from Law to Implementation Typical pattern: 1. **Law signed** (Day 0) 2. **Regulations drafted** (3-6 months) 3. **IT systems built** (6-18 months) 4. **Testing period** (3-6 months) 5. **Gradual rollout** (6-12 months) 6. **Full implementation** (18-36 months total) **Fastest**: Utah (12 months from signing) **Slowest**: Virginia (36+ months, ongoing) ### Common Exclusions Across States Nearly universal exclusions: - Sex offenses requiring registration - Murder/manslaughter - Domestic violence (varies) - Offenses against children Common exclusions: - DUI (some states) - Violent felonies generally - Crimes with mandatory minimums - Offenses with sentences > 10 years Less common exclusions: - Drug trafficking (many states include) - Property crimes (usually included) - First-degree felonies only (some states) --- ## Verification URLs For researching current law status: | State | Primary Source | |-------|---------------| | PA | https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=91 | | NJ | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ | | MI | http://www.legislature.mi.gov/ | | CA | https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/ | | CT | https://www.cga.ct.gov/ | | DE | https://delcode.delaware.gov/ | | VA | https://law.lis.virginia.gov/ | | OK | https://www.oscn.net/ | | CO | https://leg.colorado.gov/ | | NY | https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation | | MN | https://www.revisor.mn.gov/ | | MD | https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/ | | IL | https://www.ilga.gov/ | | OR | https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/ | | UT | https://le.utah.gov/ | --- ## Research Notes ### Key Advocacy Organizations - **Clean Slate Initiative**: https://www.cleanslateinitiative.org/ - **Collateral Consequences Resource Center**: https://ccresourcecenter.org/ - **ACLU Criminal Law Reform**: state-specific pages - **Legal Aid organizations**: state-by-state ### Academic Sources - Brennan Center for Justice (wage penalty studies) - Vera Institute of Justice (racial disparity data) - RAND Corporation (recidivism studies) ### Media Coverage for Law Changes - Search "[State] Clean Slate" + year for implementation updates - State bar association news for attorney guidance - Court administrative orders for implementation rules