Clean Slate Initiative Aims to Modernize CORI System

October 18, 2023

Earlier this week PHIWM joined over 50 advocates from across the state for a Clean Slate Strategic Planning & Action Summit. This day-long meeting was laser-focused on crafting a strategy and divvying up work to pass state legislation that would modernize Massachusetts’ Criminal Offense Record Information (CORI) system. People who have been involved with the criminal legal system in Massachusetts face significant barriers when it comes to sealing their CORIs even when they are eligible. People with unsealed CORI’s are affected negatively when trying to access jobs, housing, education, training, and other opportunities essential to their overall well-being and successful reentry into their communities. The Clean Slate Initiative estimates that this legislation would benefit and improve the lives of at least 462,000 people in the Commonwealth by automatically sealing CORIs as soon as they are eligible. Currently, only 4% of people eligible have been able to navigate the complex petition-based sealing process—one that often requires the help of an attorney.


We are an active member of the statewide Clean Slate Massachusetts coalition. If you would like to get involved in Clean Slate Western MA, please contact PHIWM Policy Director Andrea Freeman.


PHIWM’s focus on this legislation builds on the health impact assessment we conducted in 2021 with the help of Live Well Springfield and many community partners. We are grateful to the Point32 Health Foundation for their financial support of this work.​​​​​


The Summit was sponsored by Clean Slate Massachusetts, the Clean Slate Initiative, and Roxbury Community College’s Criminal Justice Program. Participants from Western MA were PHIWM’s Project Coordinator Jacqueline Velez and Andrea Freeman; Men of Color Health Awareness’ (MOCHA) Lead Facilitator Brother Al Hubert, and Live Well Springfield Resident Advisor Sonia Mendez.

MOCHA’s Brother Al summarizes plans that the Organizing Committee of Clean Slate Massachusetts discussed at the Summit.

share this

Related Articles

webinar recording posted

Recording posted! Internet Casino Gambling Webinar

January 12, 2026
Online sports betting became legal in Massachusetts in 2022, and now the Legislature is considering a bill (H4431) to legalize internet casino gambling—also known as “iGambling” or “iGaming.” What would more options for 24/7 gambling mean to the public health of our communities? Watch the recording from the 1/9/26 webinar. Speakers included Mark Gottlieb of Northeastern Law’s Public Health Advocacy Institute, Samantha Hamilton of Public Health Institute of Western MA, Victor Ortiz from the MA Dept. of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling, and State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa. The discussion was moderated by Jessica Collins of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Webinar Materials recording slides Video shared by Mark Gottlieb- Online Casino Gambling Ad Take Action This month, PLEASE email the MA Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies and ask them to SUPPORT Sen. Keenan’s bill (S.302) to add regulations on sports-betting, AND, OPPOSE H.4431, a bill that would legalize online casino gambling. Instructions & Email Template Links Shared during webinar Read speaker bios Understanding Youth Gambling Behavior in Springfield: Findings from the Springfield Youth Health Survey PHIWM Written Testimony An Act relative to internet gaming An Act addressing economic, health and social harms caused by sports betting The MA Problem Gambling Helpline , 800-327-5050
notification bell with text that says,

Action Alert: Sports Gambling & Online Casino Gambling

January 9, 2026
Access the Action Alert on Google Docs or below. This month, PLEASE email the MA Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies and ask them to: A. SUPPORT Sen. Keenan’s bill (S.302) to add regulations on sports-betting AND B. OPPOSE H.4431, a bill that would legalize online casino gambling. Step 1. Write and send this email on your own time, from your personal email , unless you are representing your employer, with their approval. This action is lobbying. Step 2. Use any (or all) of the template below to write your email; be sure to tailor the highlighted blanks with your own words.

Webinar Jan 9 about online casino gambling

December 11, 2025
Online sports betting became legal in Massachusetts in 2023, and now the Legislature is considering a bill (H4431) to legalize internet casino gambling—also known as “iGambling” or “iGaming.” What would more options for 24/7 gambling mean to the public health of our communities? Speakers include Mark Gottlieb of Northeastern Law’s Public Health Advocacy Institute, Samantha Hamilton of Public Health Institute of Western MA, Victor Ortiz from the MA Dept. of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling, and State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa. The discussion will be moderated by Jessica Collins of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, and attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions during a live Q&A.