Legislative sessions are now in full swing in three of our priority states: Arizona, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. In New Mexico, the legislature has already concluded its fast-paced 30-day session.

Across these states, the legislation we’re supporting is gaining traction, sparking robust discussions, and opening pathways for change.

None of this progress happens without strong leadership. The legislative sponsors championing these bills have been extraordinary partners, and their commitment, persistence, and willingness to push these efforts forward are what turn good ideas into lasting impact. We are grateful for the work they are doing to move these bills across the finish line and to improve the lives of individuals and communities across their states.

Below, you’ll find a snapshot of where things stand in each state and why we're genuinely optimistic that this could be a big year for reform.

With state legislative sessions officially underway or kicking off soon, we are excited to share the bold state-level reforms we are working to advance in 2026. We are focused on key states where our legislative champions are fired up and where meaningful change is within reach.

Alongside our strong legislative leaders and coalition of advocacy groups, impacted individuals, employers, business groups, and stakeholders, we are optimistic that these efforts will result in laws signed with an immediate impact.

As we close out our 10th year, Justice Action Network is proud to reflect on a year of extraordinary impact. Below is a snapshot of what we accomplished, by the numbers.

In 2025, ten pieces of JAN-supported legislation were signed into law across three states. These bills cover five issue areas–corrections reform, community supervision reform, fines and fees reform, sentencing modernization, and re-entry reform–and include four bills that received unanimous support in both chambers! The reforms passed in these states represent significant system-level change.

As 2025 comes to an end, we’re reflecting on all of the progress we’ve seen over the last 10 years since Justice Action Network was founded. We sat down with our Executive Director, Lauren Krisai, to hear her thoughts on how the organization and policy work has evolved over the last 10 years, and what we hope to see over the next decade.

Governor Josh Shapiro hosted a ceremonial bill signing with Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, Majority Appropriations Chairman Jordan Harris, members of the General Assembly, and criminal justice reform advocates to celebrate the Clean Slate legislation that passed with bipartisan support and was signed by the Governor to make our Commonwealth more fair for all Pennsylvanians.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed House Bill 689, a bill allowing the sealing of low-level, nonviolent felonies, sponsored by Representatives Jordan Harris (D-Phila.) and Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland), and led by Senators Lisa Baker and Anthony Williams in the Senate. The effort builds on Pennsylvania’s 2018 framework to expand automated expungements to more Pennsylvanians who have proven they can remain crime free. After a 47-3 vote in the Senate and 153-50 concurrence vote in the House, the bill now heads to Governor Shapiro’s desk for his signature.

Hosted by local business owner Steve Conway of Pyramid Construction Services, the press conference included comments by representatives of the nation’s largest bipartisan criminal justice and public safety advocacy organization, Justice Action Network; Americans for Prosperity-Pennsylvania; Associated Builders & Contractors Keystone Chapter; and Community Legal Services; along with those who have been impacted by Pennsylvania’s record sealing policies.

Reform provisions—some of which are years in the making—were included in the conference report for SF2909 passed by both chambers and represent a significant step towards creating a fairer and more equitable justice system for all Minnesotans while significantly expanding opportunities for a true second chance.

A bipartisan effort to expand Pennsylvania’s 2018 Clean Slate law gathered further momentum today with unanimous passage out of the house judiciary committee.

The vote comes after a coalition of criminal justice advocates, national policy experts, and state lawmakers held a press conference in the state capitol last week.

A bipartisan coalition of criminal justice advocates, national policy experts, and state lawmakers gathered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, April 26 to call for passage of legislation that would expand Pennsylvania’s groundbreaking automated expungement system.

As a divided Pennsylvania legislature considers additional criminal justice reforms this session, the Justice Action Network released a poll showing that Pennsylvanians overwhelmingly support expanding the state’s 2018 Clean Slate law and believe the justice system needs improvement.

The event, which is taking place during Second Chance Month, will address both the economic and public safety implications of Minnesota’s current probation, parole, expungement, and other re-entry policies, including best practices and evidence-based recommendations, some of which are currently under consideration by the legislature.

For years, criminal justice advocates have argued employment is one of the most important benchmarks for people’s reentry after prison to turn their life around successfully. Thankfully, both parties now see second chances as a moral imperative.