Sens. Paul, Booker Team Up Again for Criminal Record Reform

Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and
Cory Booker (D-N.J.), last seen
collaborating to stop the federal government from interfering
with states that have legalized medical marijuana, are back working
together. This time the two of them aim for criminal justice reform
that reduces the misery the system is able to inflict on juveniles
and low-level criminals. It’s called the REDEEM Act (“REDEEM”
stands for the not at all awkward acronym “Record Expungement
Designed to Enhance Employment”). Here’s how Paul’s office
describes what the
legislation does:

· Offers adults way to seal non-violent criminal records:
Presents the first broad-based federal path to the sealing of
criminal records for adults. Non-violent offenders will be able to
petition a court and make their case. Furthermore, employers
requesting FBI background checks will get only relevant and
accurate information – thereby protecting job applicants – because
of provisions to improve the background check system.

· Incentivizes states to increase the age of criminal
responsibility to 18-years-old: Currently 10 states have set the
original jurisdiction of adult criminal courts below 18-years-old.
This sends countless kids into the unforgiving adult criminal
system. The REDEEM Act incentivizes states to change that by
offering preference to Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
grant applications for those that have set or older 18 as the age
of original jurisdiction for adult criminal courts.

· Allows for sealing and expungement of juvenile records:
Provides for automatic expungement of records for kids who commit
non-violent crimes before they turn 15 and automatic sealing of
records for those who commit non-violent crimes after they turn 15
years old.

·Restricts use of juvenile solitary confinement: Ends the cruel
and counterproductive practice of solitary confinement except in
the most extreme circumstances in which it is necessary to protect
a juvenile detainee or those around them.

· Lifts ban on SNAP and TANF benefits for low-level drug
offenders: The REDEEM Act restores access to benefits for those who
have served their time for use, possession, and distribution crimes
provided their offense was rationally related to a substance abuse
disorder and they have enrolled in a treatment program.

Yes, that’s right; a Republican pushing to restore food stamp
access to drug offenders. Tell us again what a crazy, radical Paul
is (though the demand that these folks enroll in a drug treatment
program is unfortunate rehab service cronyism/rent-seeking).

The first item on the list could very well be inspired by some
pushes to
ban criminal background checks. But rather than controlling
what information employers may ask candidates, Paul and Booker
instead are looking to control what information the government may
release, a much smarter option less likely to lead to lawyers
sniffing around businesses looking for easy lawsuits or the
government presuming to tell private employers what information
they may or may not consider when hiring somebody.