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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 18, 2014 02:44 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Thomas R. Caltagirone |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Providing a Fresh Start for Individuals that have Turned their Life Around After Conviction for Minor Crimes |
| In the near future, I plan to reintroduce HB 1618 from last session. My bill will modernize how Pennsylvania approaches the 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 to allow a second chance to citizens that have proven over time that they have turned their life around. Moreover, our citizens have a more difficult time gaining employment versus out of state workers that have had their criminal records expunged in another state. 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. Please join me and co-sponsors this important legislation. Previous co-sponsors: STURLA, GODSHALL, COHEN, CLYMER, CRUZ, COX, MUNDY, HELM, BISHOP, THOMAS, SWANGER, McGEEHAN, QUINN, DeLUCA, MICOZZIE, YOUNGBLOOD, FLECK, READSHAW, TOOHIL, O'BRIEN, ROZZI, V. BROWN, MIRANDA, CLAY, DAVIS, SCHLOSSBERG, GIBBONS, BROWNLEE, MAHONEY, WHITE, BRADFORD, D. COSTA, CARROLL and HAGGERTY |
Introduced as HB615