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Salem council unanimously backs ‘Clean Slate’ bills to automate record sealing
Summary
After public testimony from legal services advocates, the council on Sept. 11 adopted a resolution urging the state legislature to pass bills (S.1114/H.1811 and S.1124/H.1693) that would automate sealing of eligible criminal records. The measure passed 11–0; supporters said automation would expand housing and job access for eligible residents.
The Salem City Council unanimously adopted a resolution Sept. 11 urging the Massachusetts Legislature to enact “Clean Slate” legislation that would automatically seal certain eligible criminal records.
The council voted 11–0 after hearing public testimony from legal services advocates and longtime volunteers. Pauline Kieran, director of the Korean Reentry Project at Greater Boston Legal Services and a steering member of the Clean Slate Coalition, said Massachusetts’ current process — where eligible people must petition the Commissioner of Probation — is underused and often inaccessible. “Sealing in Massachusetts is underutilized even though people suffer severe unemployment, homelessness, lack of access to educational opportunities and licensing,” Kieran told the council during public testimony.
Volunteer attorney Margaret Van Dusen, who has helped Salem clients petition to seal records, said only about 10% of people eligible under current law have completed the process because the petition system is confusing and paper-based. “During the pandemic the system basically ground to a halt because the system is paper based,” she said, urging the council to endorse automation.
Councilor Davis, who brought the resolution forward, said the measure asks the city to urge the legislature to pass bills cited in the resolution as S.1114/H.1811 and S.1124/H.1693. The council also noted receipt of a letter from Police Chief Miller endorsing the approach; the chief’s letter said the legislation “is about fairness, public safety, and opportunity” and argued that administrative hurdles should not block people from reentry once courts have ordered sealing.
Councilors praised the public advocates and emphasized that the resolution is a city-level endorsement asking state lawmakers to act; it does not change local law or create a municipal sealing process. The resolution directs that copies be sent to Salem’s legislative delegation and the chairs of the Joint Committees on the Judiciary and Ways and Means.
Action: the council adopted the resolution by roll-call vote, 11–0.
