Bill > S1754

This bill establishes a Fresh Start Program within the Executive Office of Public Safety aimed at helping individuals mitigate negative online consequences related to past criminal offenses. The program would allow individuals to request updates, removal, or anonymization of online stories about their past criminal events, with the goal of reducing barriers to employment and social mobility. A 25-member Fresh Start Coordinating Council would oversee the program, including representatives from media outlets, law enforcement, civil liberties organizations, and individuals with past incarceration experiences. The Council will develop guidelines for reviewing individual requests, recommend a program director, and create best practices for reporting on young adult offenses. The Council will be responsible for managing an appeal process and will submit an annual report to the governor detailing application statistics, benchmarks, and the percentage of media outlet decisions accepted. A key provision of the bill changes an existing law by raising an age-related threshold from 18 to 25 years old, which seems to align with the program's focus on young adult offenses and second chances.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1754