LD 1911 creates a smarter, fairer system to seal eligible arrest and conviction records once someone meets the requirements—helping thousands of Mainers move forward.
One in four adults in Maine—approximately 300,000 people—has an arrest or conviction record. These records often create lasting barriers to employment, housing, and education, even when the offense was minor or occurred years ago.
Most of these records are for low-level offenses, dismissed cases, or arrests that never led to a conviction. Yet they continue to show up in background checks—used by 94% of employers, 90% of landlords, and 72% of colleges nationwide.
Nearly 123,000 Mainers—about 46% of those with a record—could become eligible to have their records fully sealed under this legislation.
Clean Slate laws are already working across the country. Thirteen states and Washington, D.C., have passed similar policies, expanding opportunity to more than 18 million people.
LD 1911 focuses on low-level and non-violent records. It does not apply to serious or violent offenses.
Excluded categories include:
Clean Slate isn’t about erasing the past. It’s about ensuring that people who have taken responsibility and stayed on track aren’t held back forever. LD 1911 creates a system that recognizes rehabilitation, supports families, and strengthens communities across Maine.
LD 1911 creates an automated system to seal eligible criminal records—eliminating costly, complicated petition processes.
Key features:
Eligible for sealing: