House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

Posted:	June 5, 2013 02:34 PM
From:	Representative Thomas R. Caltagirone
To:	All House members
Subject:	Expungement of Criminal Records

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would modernize Pennsylvania’s approach to long-term reporting of minor criminal records. My legislation would amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to afford individuals the opportunity to petition the court for a fresh start in life. To qualify under the new guidelines the individual’s conviction cannot be for a violent or sex crime. This bill will allow individuals convicted of low-level misdemeanors to expunge their record so that they can fully integrate into society and the workforce. The legislation requires the individual to complete their punishment and remain arrest free for at least seven years. Other states have already expanded their expungement laws. This legislation will primarily benefit those individuals who may have made a single bad decision, often in youth, resulting in a criminal record. Helping these individuals get a fresh start in life will have positive impact in our communities by providing these individuals with the opportunity to work, live and raise their families. The text is attached.
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Introduced as HB1618