From Barriers to Bridges: Clean Slate Laws and Public Health

Beyonca Twiggs is a Project Coordinator at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Read her reflection below about engaging in equity work and showing up even when it is hard. Showing Up When It's Hard There are days when the work feels heavy. Not just the tasks or the meetings, but the weight of what we’re trying to change. Systems that were never built for everyone. Patterns that repeat across generations. Stories that aren’t told, because they’ve been ignored for so long. On those days, I remind myself why I’m here. I didn’t get into this work because I had all the answers. I got into it because I kept seeing the same harm, the same gaps, the same silence, especially around race and health. And I wanted to be part of interrupting that silence. I’ve learned that equity work isn’t about checking boxes or writing the right statement. It’s about being willing to stay in the room when things are uncomfortable. It’s about asking, “Who’s not here?” and meaning it. It’s about choosing to be accountable, not just when someone is watching, but especially when no one is. It means listening even when the truth stings. It means making space for stories that challenge how we see the world and how we see ourselves. Sometimes, it’s slow. Sometimes, it’s painful. But every time we choose to show up differently— more aware, more honest, more intentional—something shifts. And over time, those shifts start to matter. I’ve also learned that change doesn’t always look like a policy passed or a report released. Sometimes, it looks like someone feeling seen for the first time. Sometimes, it’s a door that wasn’t open before. Sometimes, it’s just staying committed when it would be easier to walk away. I am doing this work because I believe in the possibility of something better, and not just in theory, but in practice. In neighborhoods. In classrooms. In clinics. In the everyday places where people deserve to be safe, to be well, and to be valued. This isn’t just professional for me. It’s personal. Because the stakes are real. Because our communities deserve more than survival. They deserve care. They deserve joy. They deserve justice. So no, I don’t have all the answers. But I’m here. I’m learning. I’m listening. And I’m staying. Because the work is worth it. And so are the people we do it for. If you’re looking for ways to deepen your understanding, continue learning, or spend more time with the stories and voices that shape this work, I encourage you to explore the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide . It offers tools, reflections, and local resources to support ongoing growth.

Springfield, MA - May 13 - In a major step toward advancing criminal legal reform in Massachusetts, the Springfield City Council last night unanimously passed a resolution in support of the Clean Slate legislation which is currently before the Massachusetts legislature. Clean Slate laws would remove unnecessary barriers to opportunity for hundreds of thousands of people currently eligible to have their Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) sealed. View the resolution HERE. The Clean Slate legislative package includes: H.1811 / S.1114: An Act requiring clean slate automated sealing, filed by Senator Cindy Friedman and Representatives Mary Keefe and Andres Vargas H.1693 / S.1124: An Act to remove collateral consequences and protect the presumption of innocence, filed by Senator Adam Gomez and Representative Fluker-Reid About one in five adults in Massachusetts have criminal court records, many for offenses that are decades old or never resulted in a conviction. Yet these records continue to block access to jobs, housing, education, and stability - undermining families and entire communities. Springfield City Council Vice President Tracye Whitfield, a long-time advocate for equity and economic opportunity, praised the resolution and the broader movement behind it. “Clean Slate is a game-changer for Springfield and Massachusetts,” said Councilor Whitfield . “For too long, systemic barriers have limited opportunities for communities of color - but this initiative opens new doors. It’s a powerful step toward racial equity and economic justice, giving our residents the chance to build brighter futures with fair access to jobs, housing, and stability.” “Everyone deserves the chance to move forward without being held back by a past mistake,” said Brother Al Hubert , long-time Springfield community advocate, a facilitator with the Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA), and member of Clean Slate Massachusetts. “Clean Slate is about restoring dignity, unlocking potential, and creating real pathways to justice, equity, and economic opportunity for all.” “We’re thrilled that the City Council in Springfield—the third largest city in Massachusetts—is the first in the Commonwealth to spotlight the fact that individuals, employers, and even the court system can hugely benefit from an administrative fix to seal eligible CORIs", said Andrea Freeman, Policy Director for the Public Health Institute of Western MA and member of Clean Slate MA. Pauline Quirion , Director of the CORI & Re-entry Project at Greater Boston Legal Services, testified that Clean Slate promotes access to justice and is the only way to address racial disparities in the criminal legal system and the harm caused by CORI in a large-scale way. "Everyone deserves a chance to work, support their families, and participate in their communities,” she said. Nationally, 1 in 3 adults has a criminal record. In Massachusetts, 9 in 10 employers, 4 in 5 landlords, and 3 in 5 colleges and universities use background checks, often disqualifying individuals regardless of the age or outcome of their case. Legal aid organizations report that many people never learn they are eligible to seal their records, or face months-long backlogs when they try. The proposed Clean Slate legislation would: Replace the current paper-based sealing process with an automated CORI sealing system; Provide for immediate sealing of cases that end in dismissal, a not guilty finding, or other outcome that is not a conviction; Ensure that CORI sealing happens promptly, eliminating unnecessary delays and backlogs. The Springfield City Council’s resolution emphasizes that Black and Brown residents are disproportionately impacted by the criminal legal system and that Clean Slate is a strong and scalable way to reduce those racial disparities in access to opportunity. Clean Slate Massachusetts is a statewide coalition with support from the Clean Slate Initiative. Some of the coalition members include the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, Neighbor to Neighbor, Greater Boston Legal Services, MOCHA, New North Citizens’ Council, Live Well Springfield, Responsible Business Initiative for Justice, Fountain Fund, Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, the Urban League, Progressive MA, Justice 4 Housing, New England Community Project, and many more. See current list of supporters and legislative co-sponsors . For more information about Clean Slate legislation or to join the campaign, visit www.cleanslatema.org . ABOUT CLEAN SLATE MASSACHUSETTS Clean Slate Massachusetts is a coalition of community and statewide organizations, business leaders, impacted individuals and families, faith-based groups, and other advocates and allies. Our goal is to make record sealing happen as soon as individuals become eligible without any backlogs or delays, and without the need to file any paperwork or understand the complicated rules that apply to sealing of records. We believe that everyone in Massachusetts should be able to work, have a safe home, take care of their families, and contribute to their community. ###