Ensuring Equal Opportunity Access for ALL

Commonwealth CORI Coalition An Act to Improve Public Safety, Reform CORI, and Restore Opportunities

WHY IS CORI REFORM NEEDED ? Our current Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system prevents thousands of people from getting jobs and housing because of old or irrelevant criminal records. When a person has paid their debt to society it is wrong to deny them the opportunity to make ends meet and provide for their family. The CORI system harms the civic and economic life of the Commonwealth. To make Massachusetts stronger and safer, we need a smarter approach to CORI that helps reduce recidivism and end the cycle of crime, homelessness and unemployment.

HOW WOULD THIS LEGISLATION FIX PROBLEMS IN THE CORI SYSTEM?

Keep CORI Relevant and Predictive  Reduced Wait Time for Sealing Outdated CORI Records. Currently, individuals with CORI must wait 15 years to be able to seal records of felonies and 10 years for records of misdemeanors. Studies around the country by Departments of Correction show that rates of recidivism are high in the first two years after release, but are significantly lower in the third year, and approach ZERO RISK by the fifth year. An individual who has not re-offended within 7 years of release has a less than 1% chance of EVER breaking the law again. This bill would shorten the wait time for sealing criminal records to 7 years after the individual re-enters the community for a felony and 3 years for a misdemeanor. For any case where an individual is required to serve a longer probation or parole, the record would not be eligible for sealing until the end of that supervision. This would help ensure that our CORI system provides employers only with information that is useful and predictive of future behavior.

Simplify the Sealing Process  Procedure for Courts to Consider Sealing Non-Convictions. Individuals with CORI often don’t know how or when they may seal their past criminal records. This bill would establish regularly-scheduled court sessions for judges to consider sealing recent non-convictions. Affected individuals would be notified and have an opportunity to make the case for sealing based on their own circumstances.  No Distribution of CORI that is Eligible to be Sealed. People eligible to seal their dated records encounter a multi-layered, inefficient and costly process. This bill prohibits the Criminal History Systems Board from disseminating to private employers outdated CORI records that are eligible to be sealed because the required waiting periods have been attained.

Establish Fair Hiring Standards  Three Provisions to Improve Hiring Processes. 1. Removing questions about criminal history from job applications for private and public employers; 2. Permitting CORI background checks for qualified applicants only; 3. Ensuring the relevance and accuracy of the criminal record.

WOULD THIS LEGISLATION RESTRICT LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCESS TO CORI? No. This bill contains an express statement that it in no way diminishes access to CORI for criminal justice agencies, including police, probation, and prosecutors.

TO CO-SPONSOR THIS BILL, PLEASE CONTACT: ► ALLISEN IN SEN. CHANDLER’S OFFICE: 617-722-1544 OR [email protected] ► Rosie in Rep. Malia’s office: 617-722-2060 or [email protected]

For additio nal information, please contac t: Common we alth CORI Coalition ::: W ilnelia Riv era, Coordinator Pho ne: 617. 72 3. 68 66 • Email: wilnelia@n 2nma .org