The passage of HB 2930 is expected to significantly amend federal law regarding the handling of nonviolent criminal records. By automatically sealing records for individuals not convicted or those who have completed the terms of their sentences, it aligns with a broader movement towards criminal justice reform. Moreover, this law aims to reduce barriers to employment and housing that individuals with past convictions often face. It emphasizes rehabilitation over lifelong penalties, promoting a more just society that acknowledges the potential for change.
Summary
House Bill 2930, referred to as the 'Clean Slate Act of 2023', mandates the automatic sealing of certain criminal records for individuals who meet specific criteria. This bill is targeted at nonviolent offenses, particularly those related to marijuana, and aims to create pathways for individuals who have served their sentences to reintegrate into society without the stigma of a criminal record. The bill provides definitions for terms such as 'covered individual' and 'protected information', clarifying who qualifies for automatic sealing and the types of offenses included.
Contention
There are notable discussions surrounding HB 2930, particularly concerning the balance between public safety and individual rights. Supporters argue that the bill helps individuals rebuild their lives post-incarceration, while critics worry about the implications of sealing records, particularly in relation to future criminal activity and security concerns. The bill includes provisions meant to protect sealed information and limit access, but debates persist about transparency and trust in the justice system.
Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023 Legal Workforce Act Immigration Parole Reform Act of 2023 Visa Overstays Penalties Act Protection of Children Act of 2023 Ensuring United Families at the Border Act Border Safety and Migrant Protection Act of 2023 Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act of 2023
Break the Chain Act This bill makes various changes related to family-sponsored immigration, such as narrowing the definition of what constitutes an immediate relative and lowering the annual numerical cap on certain classes of family-sponsored visas. A non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) who is a parent of a U.S. citizen shall not qualify for a visa for immediate relatives, which is not subject to any direct numerical limits. Currently, the spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of citizens are considered immediate relatives. The bill also reduces the baseline annual cap for family-sponsored visas from 480,000 to 87,934, and revises the methods for calculating the cap. Currently, the 480,000 cap may be adjusted depending on various factors but shall not be less than 226,000. A spouse or child of a sponsoring lawful permanent resident (also known as a green card holder) shall be subject to the family-sponsored visa cap. The bill revises the rules for determining whether a non-U.S. national is a child for the purposes of family-sponsored immigration, and establishes that an individual who is married or turns 25 years old prior to a visa becoming available for issuance shall not qualify as a child. The bill creates a nonimmigrant classification for non-U.S. national parents of adult U.S. citizens, which authorizes such parents for admission into the United States for an initial five-year period. Such parents shall not be authorized for employment or to receive any public benefits.