JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. Brian Williams, D-University City, issued the following statement regarding his “clean slate” legislation, Senate Bill 763:
“Those who have made mistakes in the past and repaid their debt to society deserve a clean slate when restarting their lives. Unfortunately, far too many serve another sentence outside the penal system when their criminal records prohibit them from securing jobs, finding safe housing or providing for their family.
This legislation is not a get out of jail free card, but rather a second chance for those who have avoided repeating past mistakes and want to be productive members of society. Making the expungement process automatic for qualified offenses will help eliminate bureaucratic barriers and allow people to more easily reintegrate after serving time, which in turn will reduce recidivism, increase Missouri’s workforce and save taxpayers money.”