For Immediate Release:
December 14, 2017
Councilmember Robert White Gets Hearing on His Criminal Record Accuracy Assurance Act of 2017
Washington, DC
—
Today, Councilmember Robert White thanked Councilmember Charles Allen, Chair of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety
,
for holding a hearing on White
’
s
Criminal Record Accuracy Assurance Act of 2017
(
CRAA
).
“My legislation makes sure our residents do not miss out on opportunities for employment or housing because of outdated, inaccurate, or irrelevant information reported by companies that provide criminal background checks.”
Currently, when an employer or housing provider requests a background check, companies sometimes report information related to offenses that have since been expunged, sealed, set aside; or companies sometimes report arrests or charges that have not resulted in a conviction. The CRAA bill would bring the District in line with best practices around the country.
“When the Council or the Courts have determined that an offense should be sealed or expunged, that determination should prevail and we should ensure that the offense does not continue to hang over the heads of our residents by staying in the files of private companies indefinitely. When a resident has been charged but not convicted, a mere allegation should not stand in the way of securing a job or housing. This legislation would ensure that these companies report only current, accurate information about criminal convictions.”
With Council colleagues Kenyan McDuffie, Anita Bonds, David Grosso, Brianne Nadeau, Brandon Todd, and Trayon White signed on as co-introducers; and Charles Allen and Vincent Gray co-sponsoring, the bill has the support of a supermajority of the Council.
###
