For Immediate Release:
December 14, 2017
Contact:
Matthew Nocella, 202.724.8105 - mnocella@dccouncil.us
Judiciary Committee holds hearing on Grosso bill to modernize criminal record sealing
Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement from Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) on today’s Judiciary & Public Safety Committee hearing on several measures to improve the process of sealing criminal records in the District of Columbia, including Councilmember Grosso’s Record Sealing Modernization Amendment Act of 2017:
"I am extremely encouraged by the broad agreement heard in today’s hearing that improvements can be made to the way the District of Columbia handles the sealing of criminal records. Proposals from myself, Councilmembers Robert White and Trayon White, and Mayor Muriel Bowser, demonstrate the strong will within both branches to move forward with reforms that will remove barriers to successful reentry for our residents with criminal records.
"My legislation is the result of extensive research and consultation. I recognize that it pushes the envelope. The negative impacts of criminal records harm tens of thousands of residents of our city, as do the decades of discriminatory criminal justice policies and practices, disproportionately affecting African Americans. We have an obligation to confront it and seek bold remedies. My hope is that we can take the proposals discussed today and bring them together into one reform package to be advanced in the new year.
"All of the community members, advocates, and especially returning citizens who contributed to the development of the Record Sealing Modernization Amendment Act of 2017 or testified today deserve thanks, and have my deep appreciation for their engagement. I also want to thank Chairperson Charles Allen for holding this important hearing so quickly, as well as Councilmember Robert White, Councilmember Trayon White, and Mayor Bowser for their passion on this issue. I look forward to working with them and the rest of my colleagues to make these necessary changes a reality."
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