20 million Americans are still paying for mistakes they made decades ago. They can't get jobs. In many states, they still can't vote. They can't find housing. They can't move forward. After 20 clean years, it's time to forgive — automatically, permanently, and completely.
A simple, fair, bipartisan proposal: if you've been clean for 20 consecutive years with zero new criminal convictions, your record is automatically expunged. No lawyers. No applications. No fees. The system checks the clock and gives you your life back.
State Incentive: The act includes federal funding incentives for states that adopt matching 20 Year Forgiveness laws at the state level, creating a nationwide path to redemption.
In America, you serve your sentence, pay your fines, complete your probation — and then spend the rest of your life being punished anyway. 45,000+ legal barriers prevent people with records from fully participating in society. These barriers affect jobs, housing, education, voting, professional licensing, and even the ability to coach your child's Little League team.
A 50-year-old who made a mistake at 25 and has been a model citizen for 25 years is still checking "yes" on job applications, still being denied apartments, still unable to vote in some states. At what point has the debt been paid?
We believe 20 years is enough. If someone can go two decades without a single new offense, they've proven beyond any reasonable doubt that they've changed. The system should acknowledge that — automatically, not through an expensive legal process most people can't afford.
Share your story. Email stories@forgive20.org
Every signature tells Congress that Americans believe in redemption. Our goal: 1,000,000 signatures to put the 20 Year Forgiveness Act on every legislator's desk.