JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – 9 July 2026 — Earlier today, Governor Kehoe signed SB 1421, an omnibus criminal justice package that includes automated record sealing for eligible drug offenses. With this signing, approximately 200,000 Missourians with eligible records will finally see an end to a lifetime of collateral consequences.
Under SB 1421, sealing of eligible records will begin in January. Once sealed, eligible records will no longer appear on background checks that are used in everything from employment screenings to housing applications; maintaining access for public safety while ending barriers to housing, employment, education and other opportunities. The law applies only to certain qualifying drug possession and drug paraphernalia convictions, and does not remove waiting periods or other requirements currently in place to qualify for expungement. Instead, it automates the process so that second chances, that were once out of reach due to costs, access, or legal knowledge, are now truly possible for anyone eligible.
“We are very proud to see Missouri become the fourteenth state in the country to pass Clean Slate legislation. We’re grateful to the extensive network of advocates across the state, including business leaders, faith leaders, and nonprofit professionals, who have worked tirelessly for the last four years to pass this legislation that will have wide-reaching positive impacts across Missouri,” said Mallory Rusch, Executive Director at Empower Missouri. “This bill is the beginning of the end of an era of perpetual punishment for individuals who have struggled with addiction, made mistakes, recovered and paid restitution, and are simply trying to move on with their lives.”
“Today’s signing is the culmination of years of partnership, advocacy, and persistence from organizations, lawmakers, and directly impacted Missourians who never lost sight of what second chances can mean for families and communities,” said Chelsea Murphy, Campaign Strategist at The Clean Slate Initiative who has worked closely with partners and lawmakers on this policy. “The Clean Slate Initiative is proud to have worked alongside our Missouri partners to help advance this bipartisan effort and build a pathway for hundreds of thousands of Missourians to move forward without old records standing in the way of opportunity.”
SB 1421 marks a huge victory for the thousands of Missourians who have committed nonviolent offenses and were once facing life-long collateral consequences. Empower Missouri and Missouri Clean Slate are celebrating this major step forward, and are committed to continuing the work to automate expungement for all nonviolent offenses.
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The Missouri Clean Slate Campaign is a coalition of organizations and individuals working to automate the expungement process in Missouri so that individuals with eligible records can more fairly access safe housing, employment, and educational opportunities. Led by Empower Missouri (www.EmpowerMissouri.org), a statewide anti-poverty advocacy organization, the campaign is supported by organizational partners representing community, faith, and business interests in Missouri. You can learn more at www.MOCleanSlate.org.
Empower Missouri (www.EmpowerMissouri.org), a statewide not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1901 to solve the underlying issues driving poverty in our state. Through advocacy, research and education, Empower Missouri works collaboratively with community members, nonprofit organizations and state and federal policy makers to build an understanding of systemic poverty and its role in Missouri. Our goal is to ensure all Missourians have access to affordable housing, adequate and nutritious food, and equal justice in their communities.
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