What states have the clean slate law?

Asked by: Carmelo Bins DVM  |  Last update: May 18, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (1 votes)

As of late 2025/early 2026, over a dozen states have enacted some form of "Clean Slate" law, which automatically seals eligible criminal records, with Pennsylvania being the first in 2018, followed by Utah, Michigan, Delaware, Virginia, California, Oklahoma, Colorado, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York, among others, aiming to provide automatic record relief for those who have completed sentences and stayed crime-free.

In what states can you not expunge a DUI?

However, 22 states including Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and Illinois completely prohibit DUI expungement under their state law, making criminal convictions permanent. The availability of relief depends entirely on where the conviction occurred, with eligibility requirements varying dramatically by statutory authority.

What states go back 10 years on background checks?

A 10-year background check reflects states where employers can look back that far, but many states, like California, New York, and Washington, have 7-year limits for convictions, while others like Texas and Florida generally allow longer looks unless state or local laws restrict them. Federal guidelines (FCRA, EEOC) set a baseline, but state laws vary, with some states restricting conviction reporting to seven years, while others allow longer, especially for felonies or higher-salary positions, meaning "10-year states" are those without strong reporting limits. 

Which states don't require background checks?

Fifteen states have mandated the removal of conviction history questions from job applications for private employers—California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

What crimes can be expunged in the US?

In the U.S., expungement eligibility varies by state but generally covers non-violent misdemeanors, certain low-level felonies, dismissed charges, and juvenile offenses, while serious violent crimes, sexual offenses (especially involving children), and certain major drug felonies are usually excluded; requirements often include completing your sentence, probation, and observing a waiting period without new offenses, with specific rules for drug possession and DUIs differing by state. 

Exploring Clean Slate Legislation: Perspectives from Different States

22 related questions found

Does your criminal record clear after 7 years?

Unlike the popular myth of the “seven-year rule,” conviction records do not automatically expire or disappear from your criminal history after any specific time period. Your criminal record is maintained at multiple levels within the justice system.

What states are more felon friendly?

These Are the States Most Likely to Hire Former Felons

  • California.
  • Colorado.
  • Kansas.
  • Maryland.
  • Massachusetts.
  • Montana.
  • Nevada.
  • New Hampshire.

What states have the 7 year rule?

Seven-Year Reporting Restriction States

However, several states limit the timeframe of conviction reporting to seven years. These states include: California, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Texas and Washington.

What states prohibit pending charges on a background check?

What States Prohibit Pending Charges on a Background Check?

  • California: Employers can't consider arrests that didn't lead to conviction unless directly related to the job.
  • New York: Pending charges can only be considered if relevant to job duties or safety.
  • Illinois: Only convictions can be considered.

What are red flags on a background check?

Red flags on a background check are discrepancies or concerning findings like criminal records (especially violent, financial, or drug-related), significant inconsistencies in employment/education history, poor credit history (for finance roles), negative references, failed drug tests, or unprofessional social media activity, all raising concerns about a candidate's integrity, judgment, or suitability for a role.
 

How far back can a job do a background check?

How Far Can a California Employer Go When Checking Your Background? California employment laws allow employers to delve seven years into your criminal background. This means that any criminal activity that is more than seven years old should not show up on a criminal background check conducted by an employer.

Does a background check show from all 50 states?

Does a background check show information for all states? Whether a background check shows information for all states depends on the scope of the background screening process. National criminal background checks and sex offender registry checks typically access records from all 50 states.

Do I have to disclose a felony after 7 years in Texas?

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), arrest records cannot be reported after seven years. Criminal convictions, however, can be reported indefinitely under this law. Texas and several other states have laws to limit how long a criminal conviction can be reported.

What's the worst state to get a DUI in?

Arizona is frequently cited as having the most rigorous DUI laws in the nation for first-time offenders. The state implements measures that are often reserved for repeat offenders in other regions.

Is it better to have your record sealed or expunged?

It's better to get your record expunged if you're eligible, as it erases the record, making it like it never happened, but sealing is often more accessible, hiding it from the public but allowing law enforcement and some agencies access, so the "better" option depends on your specific offense, state laws, and desired level of privacy. Expungement offers a "clean slate," while sealing provides confidentiality for certain background checks. 

Where can you not travel with a DUI?

  • Australia. To visit Australia, you must meet the country's character requirements for travel visas. ...
  • Canada. Canada has strict restrictions on people who have DUI convictions. ...
  • China. ...
  • Iran. ...
  • Japan. ...
  • Mexico. ...
  • New Zealand. ...
  • South Africa.

Which state has the least strict background checks?

Montana has no law regulating consideration of criminal record in public or private employment, including the limits on application-stage inquiry by public employers that most other states have adopted.

What jobs can a convicted felon not get?

Felons face significant restrictions in jobs requiring licenses (law, medicine, teaching, finance, real estate, security) or involving public trust/vulnerable populations (childcare, elder care, law enforcement, healthcare), as well as roles handling valuables or operating heavy machinery, with specific bans depending on state law and the nature of the crime (e.g., theft, fraud, violent offenses). Industries like finance, education, transportation, and healthcare often have statutory bars or strict licensing requirements that exclude individuals with felony records, though some exceptions and review processes exist.
 

Can you travel out of state with pending felony charges?

If you have pending felony charges, you may be required to appear in court for various court hearings, including arraignment, pre-trial hearings, and trial. The court may impose travel restrictions on you, requiring you to remain within the jurisdiction where the case is pending.

Do misdemeanors go away after 10 years?

Criminal Records in California

They don't automatically disappear or get sealed over time. Even minor misdemeanors, like shoplifting, can show up on background checks indefinitely. Some misdemeanor convictions can result in the loss of certain civil rights, such as firearm ownership.

What state has the Clean Slate Act?

Other states that have passed clean slate laws include: California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Minnesota, Michigan, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia.

Which felonies cannot be expunged?

Generally, serious felonies like murder, violent crimes (e.g., aggravated assault, kidnapping, robbery), sex offenses (especially against minors), and domestic violence convictions are often ineligible for expungement across most states, with specific exclusions varying by jurisdiction, while federal felonies are typically not expungeable at all, but state laws have exceptions for certain offenses like some DUIs or lower-level drug crimes.
 

What jobs are felons most likely to get?

12 highest-paying jobs for people with criminal records

  • Digital marketer. ...
  • Freelance designer. ...
  • Painter. ...
  • Maintenance worker. ...
  • Entrepreneur. ...
  • Web developer. ...
  • Truck driver. ...
  • Barber.

What states do not extradite felons?

South Carolina, Mississippi, and Louisiana have not adopted the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act, but have adopted other extradition laws.