Fresh Start Act of 2025

This bill helps states clear old criminal records automatically. It creates federal grants so states can upgrade their justice data systems and make record sealing or expungement happen without extra steps for the person. It supports state laws that clear records automatically and do not slow things down just because someone can’t pay fees or fines. Courts and police could still see sealed records when needed .

States that take these grants must report each year how many people are eligible, how many records were cleared each year, and how many requests are still pending, broken down by race, ethnicity, and gender. If some data aren’t available, the state has to make a plan to get them within a year. The Attorney General must publish a public report within one year of the law taking effect and every year after.

Key points:

• Who is affected: State justice systems and people with eligible criminal records.
• What changes: Federal grants for modern data systems; automatic record clearing without delays for unpaid fines/fees; continued access for courts and law enforcement; yearly reporting and public reports.
• When: Annual state reporting during the grant term; first public report within one year of enactment, then every year after.