FRANKFORT, Ky. — People convicted of crimes in Kentucky may soon have an easier path to make a fresh start. Right now, those eligible get their record expunged have to go through a lengthy and sometimes costly process.

What You Need To Know

  • The Clean Slate Act would establish an automatic expungement process for eligible misdemeanors and some Class D felonies

  • Senate Bill 218 and House Bill 569 make up the act

  • Supporters of the act said it will help people with a record who face challenges

  • Lawmakers also believe it will help with Kentucky's labor shortage

Tip Moody is a community organizer for "Advocacy Based on Lived Experience" (ABLE) and works with people who have criminal records. He has listened to their stories of the difficulties of finding a job.

“This is a real issue for many Kentuckians,” Moody said. “Having a felony conviction on your background is sometimes an absolute 'no'; it’s a deal-breaker.”

It’s for this reason Moody is supportive of the Clean Slate Act, which would establish an automatic expungement process for eligible misdemeanors and some Class D felonies. Senate Bill 218 and House Bill 569 make up the act and were introduced last week.

“Basically, what happens is an individual who’s eligible for an expungement would have a streamline process where they could basically have their record cleared,” said State Sen. Brandon Storm, R-London, who sponsors SB 218. 

State Representative Daniel Grossberg, D-Louisville, is among the sponsors of HB 569. He said the legislation is a matter of social justice.

“There are cases of someone committing a petty crime in their teens or their early 20s," Grossberg said. "In their 40s, they're still not able to get gainfully employed because they weren’t able to get that expunged, not because they weren’t eligible but because they can’t afford the legal fees and they can’t afford the legal fees because they can’t get the good job."

Moody said this is like running on a hamster wheel.

Advocates who support the Clean Slate Act said it will benefit people with a record and their families if passed. Legislators also see it helping Kentucky’s economy.

“Kentucky is one of the lowest worker-participation states in the Union,” said State Rep. Kevin Bratcher, R-Louisville, who is another sponsor of HB 569. “There are so many jobs going unfulfilled, and we don’t want someone that made a mistake in their past, did not hurt somebody, not be available for a job where they can become a productive part of society and be a good citizen.”

Moody said he considers lifting the financial burden from people as one of the Clean Slate Act's most important parts and is excited about the automatic process. 

There is a wait time of five years before someone can get their record expunged, which would remain the same with the act. If it passes, it would go into effect in Aug. 2027.

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