Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in record-sealing legislation with the implementation of "Clean Slate 3.0," which expands eligibility to include certain low-level felony convictions.

What is Clean Slate 3.0?

Building on previous laws that sealed millions of misdemeanor and summary records, Clean Slate 3.0 (Act 36 of 2023) allows for the sealing of less serious drug felonies and some property-related felonies. This is a major step forward, as felony records often create lifetime barriers to employment and housing.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for automated sealing of drug felonies, 10 years must have passed since the conviction without any subsequent misdemeanor or felony convictions. For other property-related felonies, such as theft, sealing is available via a court petition after the same 10-year conviction-free period.

It is important to note that more serious offenses, including those involving violence, sex offender registration, or drug trafficking with long prison sentences, remain ineligible for sealing.

Shortened Waiting Periods

The new law also reduces the waiting period for sealing misdemeanor convictions from 10 years to 7 years, and for summary convictions to 5 years. This allows individuals to clear their records sooner and access opportunities that were previously out of reach.