Washington State could see a decriminalization measure on November’s ballot, and a new study tells us that the many voters are already on board. Initiative 1922 would decriminalize possession, removing penalties and instead opting for a harm-reduction model. If passed, the state would direct more than $140 million towards outreach, treatment, and recovery services.

Voters likely recognize that the state has done little to combat addiction and instead punished those who are caught with possession, which only furthers the cycle of poverty for many who need outreach services. FM3 Research has conducted many polls to determine voters’ attitudes—and the most recent round revealed that 46% of respondents would “definitely” or “probably” vote for the initiative based on its ballot summary, and 37% would “definitely” or “probably” vote against it. The remaining 17% were undecided, but 6% of those leaned towards yes.

This move mimics an Oregon measure that passed in 2020. ACLU of Washington has backed a coalition, Commit to Change WA, which has raised over a $1.5 million to support the initiative. They now need to gather 324, 516 signatures by July 8th in order for the measure to qualify for November’s ballot.

If you’re tired of your old possession charge getting in the way of employment, we can help. Sign up for a free background report from Easy Expunctions to see if you’re eligible for a quick, affordable, and 100% online expunction!

Colorado’s SB22-099, also known as the “clean slate” legislation, has received a wealth of bipartisan support and is very close to its final stages. The legislation would seal nonviolent criminal records of people who have completed the conditions of their sentence and remained arrest-free for seven to ten years—a huge step in improving the circumstances for more than a whopping one million Coloradans.

That’s right, 1.3 million people will become eligible to have their records expunged as soon as the legislation becomes law. With 72% of Colorado’s population in support of the bill, it seems like a win-win. Everyone will benefit, from employers, to job seekers, to the state’s economy as a whole.

Though the legislation was spurred by the workforce shortages caused by COVID-19, it could have broader effects on the stigma people have towards those with criminal records. Not only will it open up employment opportunities across the board, but it could work to incentive people with nonviolent convictions to follow the law and not reoffend so that they, too can have their records expunged down the line.

For many, a criminal record is what stands between them and the job of their dreams. If you have a charge and you’re not sure if it has the potential to be expunged, we can help. Get in touch with Easy Expunctions to see if we can get you the fresh start you’ve been waiting for!

A seemingly flaw-focused background service provided inaccurate, reputation-tainting information to employers at an Iowa healthcare center. Jennifer Malatek, a registered nurse for 24 years, was revoked of her nursing position at Aveanna Healthcare due to inaccurate information provided by First Advantage Background Services. Malatek is now suing First Advantage for allegedly violating the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, a law that regulates the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of background checks made for employment purposes.

Malatek tested positive for marijuana use in 2014, which resulted in a suspended license. Malatek’s license was fully restored in 2016, as she met all the terms and requirements needed to resume her career as a nurse. Years went by and everything was smooth sailing for Malatek—until a devastating obstacle caused trouble waters in February 2022. Malatek was hired for a nursing position with Aveanna Healthcare in November 2021 on the assumption that she’d pass the background check. Once Aveanna received Malatek’s results in February, they revoked the job offer due to an invalid multistate nursing license. Aveanna rescinded their job offer based on false information provided by First Advantage, which prompted Malatek to call for a copy of the background check reported by the company. Not only did it inaccurately indicate an invalid multistate license, it reporated eight separate licensing sanctions on her record. Malatek soon filed a lawsuit against the company on damages for job denial, financial instability, emotional distress, damages to her reputation, and more. Claims from Malatek’s lawsuit against First Advantage are displayed in the following quote:

“Instead of employing reasonable procedures, as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, (First Advantage) blindly collects information from unreliable third-party vendors to repackage and sell in its own employment screening products…[First Advantage] has been sued under the FCRA by consumers in the past for inaccurately reporting professional license information and/or disciplinary history.”

A rehabilitated individual’s restored qualifications are meaningless if our nation’s “trusted services” fail to report accurate information. If your background check is keeping you from obtaining a license, pursuing your job of choice, or finding stable housing, it’s time to take action with help from Easy Expunctions. Call our record-clearing experts at (866) 775-9983 or visit our website at EasyExpunctions.com for more information on a seamless and affordable expunction process.

Louisiana has notoriously high fees and an overall tedious process for expungement, but Louisiana’s new HB 707 is hoping to automate the system. Automation would help the thousands of eligible individuals that might not have otherwise taken advantage of this benefit. Louisiana legislators recently forwarded HB 707 to the full House for consideration. The bill would go into effect in 2024 if passed, and includes all eligible criminal records since 1999. The automation would not include municipal court records, where most traffic offenses and misdemeanors are handled.

Louisiana citizens would benefit vastly from automated expunction as they currently must pay a minimum $550 fee per incident in addition to the cost of a lawyer (recommended due to the fee’s non-refundable nature). This fee is the most expensive in the country by a margin of $300. Automation would shift the responsibility of initiation and payment from the eligible individual to the state. Currently, only about 20% of eligible individuals with criminal records take advantage of the expunction process due to its costly nature.

Proponents of change are supporting this bill because expunctions help rehabilitate individuals with criminal records, support their transition back into the workforce. It can also help them obtain safe housing, educational opportunities, and professional licenses. Having a clean record is often pertinent to the hiring process, especially at higher levels, as employers are still widely allowed to screen applicants for criminal histories before acknowledging their qualifications. In order to end the cycle of crime, poverty, and lack of education, it is important that the state supports those with criminal records back into society.

If you are feeling held back by your criminal record and don’t know where to start, look no further than Easy Expunctions. We’re committed to providing eligible individuals with simple, affordable, and quick record-clearing services. Visit EasyExpunctions.com or call (866) 775-9983 to learn more!

Collin County District Attorney Greg Willie has announced a new 2022 Expunction program that would offer free legal assistance to people who have records eligible for expunction. The initiative will simply make it easier for eligible individuals to get a fresh start and is backed by the NAACP Collin County branch, the Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, Collin County Bar Association, Plano Bar Association, and Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

This initiative is the first of its kind in Collin County, and provides the services of 46 volunteer employees who will assist applicants. Willis noted the following:

“We are thrilled to help people erase their criminal record and clear a path to more opportunity for them. Whether they’re seeking employment, education, housing, or military service, this initiative will help qualifying individuals do just that.”
Programs like this one can make a huge difference in the community. It’s important that local governments do more to help people who are struggling to clear their eligible charges for financial reasons. If someone is able to have their criminal history cleared, they shouldn’t be unable to do so simply because they can’t afford a lawyer. This barrier can contribute to a vicious cycle of poverty that is hard to escape.
If you think you can’t afford an expunction, think again. Our 100% online services are a fraction of the cost of a traditional lawyer. We invite you to sign up for a free background report from www.EasyExpunctions.com so that you can see exactly what’s on your record, and what we determine is eligible for removal. Get started today on your journey to a fresh start without the burden of a criminal record!

Cleveland, Ohio’s mayor is officially all talk and all action, as he has filed a motion to expunge over 4,000 marijuana conviction records dating back to 2017. The records are all misdemeanor cases that involve 20 or less grams of marijuana.

The move is a logical one, as Cleveland City Council passed an ordinance over two years ago that lowered the penalties for misdemeanor possession of marijuana. The ordinance ensured that those convicted would not have permanent criminal records and would not have to disclose the charge on employment applications. Nevertheless, the Cleveland prosecutor’s office has found 455 people who have mistakenly received charges since it passed.

In a news release, Bibb noted that thousands of other cases are eligible for expunction and that each of these people deserves a second chance:

“This is just one way we can make progress on criminal justice reform to balance the scales and remove barriers to employment and re-entry.”

The motion now heads to Municipal Court judges for signature. We hope the expunctions take effect sooner than later, as people with criminal records tend to suffer under unfair stigmas that make it more difficult for them to find meaningful employment and housing.

If you’ve faced barriers due to your criminal history, we can help. Head to www.EasyExpunctions.com to see if you qualify for a fast, affordable, and online expunction!

As many industries across the globe face labor shortages, companies like JPMorgan Chase are looking to hire qualified candidates who might have previously been overlooked. JPMorgan has hired thousands of talented employees with criminal histories to take advantage of an untapped labor source. The bank has removed questions about criminal histories from its application process, shifting its energy into helping applicants prepare for employment through resume and career coaching services. Resume and career coaching can be helpful for those who have not had equal access to such career opportunities, expanding the scope of qualified candidates.

By shedding light on talent that has been previously neglected by employers, the firm is hoping to encourage progress across the board. Not only is JPMorgan looking to hire more candidates with criminal histories, but they are also hoping to fill positions with people who are neurodivergent or have other conditions that have made it difficult to find employment. This shift in mindset will hopefully usher in a new age of a more diverse workforce that celebrates differences.

Historically, those with criminal records have been met with immediate or automatic rejection without being offered a chance and without acknowledging their talents and qualifications. Although it is unfortunate that a labor shortage had to force the hand of progress on large corporations, it is nevertheless a step in the right direction. Hopefully, other large firms will follow suit as JPMorgan seeks to empower an underappreciated workforce.

If your criminal record has held you back from achieving your goals, Easy Expunctions is here to help. Easy Expunctions offers quick, simple, and affordable record cleaning services that can be completed entirely online! We strive to provide you with a clean slate so you can create a more secure tomorrow. To learn more about your eligibility, reach out to the record cleaning experts at EasyExpunctions.com or call (866) 775-9983!

A key committee officially recommends that the NCAA lower student athlete drug testing penalties and increase the testing threshold for marijuana use. The NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports has agreed to raise the THC threshold, which constitutes a positive test from 35 to 150 nanograms per milliliter. These changes result from months-long discussions regarding NCAA marijuana rules aiming to stay consistent with the increasing legalization by states and following the lead of other sports leagues.

Medical professionals of the NCAA are focused on reconsidering their approach to cannabis management as cultural views and public health knowledge evolves. The committee’s recommendations are not binding, but they urge the three divisions of the NCAA to adopt them. These recommendations include a guide on eligibility following a positive THC test that grants no punishment if the student complies with a management plan and education. This is vastly different from the current rule, which stipulates that a student loses half their eligibility to play after the first positive THC test and loses all eligibility following a second positive test.

This movement creates a more responsive rather than reactive environment for student athletes, seeking education and support instead of punishment. As more states become more lenient with cannabis possession and use, it is important that sports policy reflects this change. Furthermore, as society pushes for the widespread legalization of marijuana, avenues for support, rehabilitation, and education must be established to facilitate the healthy management of the substance.

Accessibility to record clearing services is important for those with prior marijuana-related offenses, as it provides a clean slate for those looking for new opportunities. Easy Expunctions is a simple solution, offering fully online, affordable, and quick recording cleaning services! You deserve a second chance, and we’re in the business of helping you get it. Visit EasyExpunctions.com or call (866) 775-9983 to learn more about our packages and to check your eligibility.

Though a person’s criminal record does not define them, it can open a new window of opportunity. For instance, people with previous drug-related convictions are more likely to understand the struggles of addiction. It’s extremely common for a person in recovery to turn to counselors with shared experiences to guide them through the process. Criminal history or not, it’s logical to encourage recovered individuals to use their experiences to help others battling through the same issue. Unfortunately, Virginia lawmakers have demonstrated severe ignorance toward the subject by killing a bill that would’ve allowed people with criminal records to serve their community as addiction counselors.

There are almost 200 crimes that prohibit people from becoming substance abuse counselors in Virginia, including unrelated charges like reckless driving and pointing a laser at a law enforcement officer. Although one can argue that these barriers are enforced to encourage Virginia citizens to obey the law, it completely disregards rehabilitated individuals with valuable experiences and resources. People grow and change, and if the purpose of our justice system is to encourage ex-convicts to do better for themselves and others, then Virginia lawmakers are missing the point by a longshot.

Andrew Ward, a Virginia attorney representing a man fighting for his right to pursue a career in addiction counseling, expresses his dismay in the following statement:

“The department’s own numbers show that just in the last few years, 1,100 people have been unable to work in substance-abuse counseling or another field the department supervises because of this law. Even though they admit it keeps out qualified applicants with invaluable experience,”

A criminal record shouldn’t strip away your freedom. If your criminal history is taking a toll on your future, it’s time to free yourself from the shackles with the help of the friendly professionals at Easy Expunctions. Visit our website at EasyExpunctions.com or call us at (866) 775-9983 to begin your simple and affordable record-clearing process.

A recent federal labor report revealed that drug testing rates by employers in the United States have fallen substantially in the past 25 years. This is a direct result of the steady legalization of marijuana throughout various states across the country. New data shows which industries are screening employees more than others while also revealing that a small number of workplaces have even eliminated or delayed screening substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of the pandemic, nearly three-quarters of states have legalized the use and possession of medical marijuana, while about one third have legalized adult recreational cannabis. As expected, drug testing is lower in states that have already legalized marijuana. Workers in safety-sensitive industries such as transportation were more likely to be tested than those in lower-risk sectors such as food services and art. It is unclear whether the lack of testing in states that have listed marijuana prohibition is directly correlated to the legalization or more so a result of general public opinion on personal privacy and drug use.

While testing is slowly relaxed across the country, many still suffer the effects of marijuana prohibition. People of minority communities are consistently and disproportionately targeted by law enforcement for marijuana use and possession. This disparity furthers the cycle of homelessness, incarceration, and poverty, and prevents many from seeking higher education. Furthermore, there are many who have been charged with cannabis-related offenses that are still facing punishment for these outdated crimes.

If your criminal record is holding you back from reaching your full potential, take control of your life with the help of the record-clearing professionals at Easy Expunctions. Our goal is to help you back onto your feet with easy, accessible, affordable, and quick expunction services. To check your eligibility and find what package suits your needs, visit EasyExpunctions.com or call (866) 775-9983 and speak with our friendly experts!