H.R. 1529

The Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act of 2009

On March 6, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) introduced H.R. 1529, the Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act of 2009, legislation that would permit expungement of records of certain nonviolent criminal offenses. A person would be eligible to apply for expungement only if they fulfill requirements detailed in the legislation, including:
 
• Never being convicted of a violent offense (including an offense under state law that would be a violent offense if it were federal);
•  Never being convicted of a nonviolent offense other than the one for which expungement is sought;
• Fulfilling all requirements of the sentence, including completion of any term of imprisonment or period of probation, meeting all conditions of a supervised release, and paying all fines;
• Remaining free from dependency on or abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance a minimum of one year;
• Obtaining a high school diploma or completion of a high school equivalency program;
• Completing at least one year of community service.
 
The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.  FAMM supports this legislation.