It would be easier for Kansans to clear their criminal records under proposals before the Kansas Legislature next year. Plans to change the state’s expungement laws have been under consideration for years. The Kansas News Service reports that Kansans can be denied expungements if they have outstanding fines or fees owed to the courts. Michelle Ewert, Associate Law Professor at Washburn University, wants that to change. Expungement cleans someone’s criminal record of certain crimes, which makes it easier to get a job or housing. Ewert says keeping someone from getting a clean record because they owe money can stop them from being productive members of the community and allowing people to move forward when they are just trying to do better will have many positive ripple effects in other parts of people’s lives.
Lawmakers begin a new legislative session in Topeka in January. Republicans and Democrats are both pushing for this change.
