Bill Overview
Title: Fresh Start Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes a federal statutory process to expunge records related to certain nonviolent criminal offenses. The bill defines the nonviolent offenses eligible for expungement; it establishes qualifications for an eligible offender; and it sets forth procedures for filing an expungement petition.
Sponsors: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Target Audience
Population: individuals worldwide with nonviolent criminal records that may be expungable under this legislation
Estimated Size: 10000000
- The Fresh Start Act of 2022 aims to expunge records related to certain nonviolent criminal offenses.
- Nonviolent offenses are quite common, and this will encompass a significant portion of the population with criminal records.
- The bill will affect individuals who have nonviolent criminal records that qualify for expungement under federal criteria.
- The impact extends to these individuals' families, communities, and future employment and housing opportunities.
Reasoning
- The Fresh Start Act of 2022 has a budget allocation that will determine how many people can realistically benefit from the policy each year. With an estimated 10 million eligible individuals in the US, the budget will initially support a subset of this group.
- Given the constraints, individuals with the highest need and potential impact, such as those facing significant barriers to housing or employment, might be prioritized.
- The Act is expected to provide significant improvements in well-being for those affected, as expunging records can enhance job prospects, social status, and overall stability, contributing to psychological relief and social reintegration.
- The 20-year potential horizon for the effectiveness of expungement can lead to compounding benefits that enhance stability in not just individuals' lives but also community dynamics.
Simulated Interviews
Customer Service Representative (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having my record expunged would mean I could finally apply for better jobs without fear.
- I'm hopeful that this process won't be too complicated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Freelance Graphic Designer (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- In my line of work, having a clean background check is essential because clients often require it.
- It's been tough explaining my past to potential clients.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Factory Worker (Rural Michigan)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've faced issues with promotions because of my record.
- This policy could really uplift folks like me who have been spending decades trying to shed old mistakes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Stay-at-home mom (Charleston, SC)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could bring peace of mind, especially when volunteering at my children's school.
- Not having to explain a decade-old charge would be a relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Bartender (Chicago, IL)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The expungement would allow me to move forward without the stigma when trying to get additional licenses.
- It affects how customers and owners perceive me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
University Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having a clean record would relieve stress as I apply for internships and grad programs.
- The policy feels like a lifeline.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- At my age, seeing this erased would mean coming to terms with my past fully.
- It would also relieve the burden on my family to deal with my record after I'm gone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Software Developer (Portland, OR)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Professionally I'm doing okay, but this would offer closure and peace that the past is truly behind me.
- It'd be nice not to have to explain it on international work assignments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Non-profit Worker (Denver, CO)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We fight for change, but it comes with personal costs that linger in the justice system.
- This expungement would be a moral victory.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Entrepreneur (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My business is growing and gaining a clean slate would boost my presence.
- It's about showing that we can rise above past indiscretions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 2: $210000000 (Low: $160000000, High: $260000000)
Year 3: $220000000 (Low: $170000000, High: $270000000)
Year 5: $250000000 (Low: $190000000, High: $310000000)
Year 10: $300000000 (Low: $240000000, High: $360000000)
Year 100: $600000000 (Low: $480000000, High: $720000000)
Key Considerations
- The actual administrative costs could fluctuate significantly depending on how many individuals apply for expungement and the complexity of verifying eligibility.
- There is potential for significant long-term savings to the criminal justice system if the act reduces recidivism.
- The potential for increased economic activity and improved public safety should be weighed against initial implementation costs.
- Balancing resource allocation for expungement procedures and supporting informed decision-making on eligibility criteria.