We saved the Second Chance Act! Thank your lawmaker for standing up for second chances.

This year's legislative session brought significant challenges, and our hard work has paid off. We advocated for Senate Bill 565 (SB 565), designed to fix and restore the process for automated expunctions. However, at the end of May, SB 565 was altered to repeal a crucial part of the 2020 NC Second Chance Act.

In response, we coordinated with partners statewide to advocate for automated expunctions. On June 27, 2024, the Senate and House voted unanimously to pass the restored version of SB 565, improving and restarting automated expunctions. Governor Cooper signed the bill into law on July 8, 2024.

An automated expunction process is vital for North Carolina, as it allows individuals to access the expunction relief they are eligible for without navigating the process alone. More than 400,000 people benefited from the initial automation.

This victory was hard-fought, and your calls, emails, and meetings with legislators made it possible. Thank you!

As we celebrate this win for second chances, we ask you to take a moment to thank your lawmakers and Governor Cooper for saving the Second Chance Act.