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Springfield council unanimously backs ‘Clean Slate’ resolution urging automatic sealing of eligible records
Summary
The Springfield City Council on May 12 passed a resolution urging the Massachusetts Legislature to adopt ‘Clean Slate’ measures that would automate sealing of eligible criminal records, speakers said the change would improve employment, housing and public health outcomes for hundreds of thousands of residents.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Springfield City Council voted unanimously Monday to endorse the Clean Slate Massachusetts campaign and urged the state Legislature to pass bills automating the sealing of eligible criminal records.
The resolution, introduced and read by Councilor Tracy Whitfield, asks state lawmakers to advance legislation that would remove administrative barriers to sealing nonconviction cases and records for people who have met existing waiting periods. The council also added all members as cosponsors before approving the measure.
Supporters told the council the change would expand access to jobs, housing and public-health resources. “Clean slate, like Councilor Whitfield said, it’s about fairness and opportunity, but it’s also about health,” Andrea Freeman, policy director at the Public Health Institute of Western Mass., told the council. Freeman said a criminal…
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