Harnessing Opportunities by Pursuing Expungement Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.6129 | Sponsor: Rep. Joyce, David P. (R-OH)
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
Harnessing Opportunities by Pursuing Expungement Act of 2021 or the HOPE Act of 2021
This bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants to states and local governments to reduce the financial and administrative burden of expunging convictions for state cannabis offenses.
The bill also requires DOJ to study and report on (1) the effects on an individual of a criminal record report of a conviction for a criminal offense related to cannabis, and (2) the costs incurred for incarcerating an individual for a criminal offense related to cannabis.

To authorize the Attorney General to make grants to States and units of 
 local government to reduce the financial and administrative burden of 
  expunging convictions for cannabis offenses, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Harnessing Opportunities by Pursuing 
Expungement Act of 2021'' or the ``HOPE Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. STATE EXPUNGEMENT OPPORTUNITY GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Name of Program.--The grant program established under this 
section shall be known as the ``State Expungement Opportunity Grant 
Program''.
    (b) Authorization.--The Attorney General is authorized to make 
grants to States and units of local government to reduce the financial 
and administrative burden of expunging convictions for cannabis 
offenses that are available to individuals who have been convicted of 
such offenses under the laws of the State.
    (c) Application.--The chief executive of a State or unit of local 
government seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the 
Attorney General an application at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Attorney General may reasonably 
require.
    (d) Use of Funds.--Grants under this section shall be used--
            (1) for technology to provide cost-effective legal relief 
        at scale;
            (2) to automate the process of expunging convictions for 
        cannabis offenses;
            (3) for clinics, including legal clinics, that assist 
        individuals through the expungement process;
            (4) to implement the notice requirement described in 
        subsection (e);
            (5) to seal records of conviction for cannabis offenses, if 
        appropriate; and
            (6) for other innovative partnerships to provide wide-scale 
        relief to individuals who are eligible for the expungement of a 
        conviction for a cannabis offense under the laws of the State.
    (e) Notice Requirement.--A jurisdiction that receives a grant under 
this section shall--
            (1) publish on a publicly accessible website information 
        about the availability and process of expunging convictions for 
        cannabis offenses, including information for individuals living 
        in a different jurisdiction who were convicted of a cannabis 
        offense in that jurisdiction;
            (2) implement a process to notify each individual convicted 
        of a cannabis offense when--
                    (A) the expungement process has begun; and
                    (B) when the expungement is complete, which shall, 
                if applicable, include an official certificate of 
                expungement (including any other similar document used 
                by the jurisdiction).
    (f) Report.--A jurisdiction that receives a grant under this 
section shall submit to the Attorney General a report describing the 
uses of such funds, and how many convictions for cannabis offenses have 
been expunged using such funds.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated $2,000,000 to carry out this section for each of fiscal 
years 2023 through 2032.

SEC. 3. STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES RELATED TO CANNABIS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall conduct a study and 
submit to Congress and make publicly available on the website of the 
Department of Justice a report on--
            (1) the effects of the appearance on an individual's 
        criminal record report of a conviction for a criminal offense 
        related to cannabis, including--
                    (A) disqualifying him or her from future 
                opportunities in housing and employment;
                    (B) increasing the likelihood that the individual 
                will have future involvement with the criminal justice 
                system;
                    (C) how any such effects differ based on 
                demographics, including race; and
                    (D) any other matters determined appropriate by the 
                Attorney General; and
            (2) the costs incurred by States for incarcerating an 
        individual convicted for a criminal offense related to 
        cannabis.
    (b) Clarification.--The report under subsection (a) may not include 
any personally identifiable information.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) The term ``cannabis'' means either marijuana or 
        cannabis as defined under the State law authorizing the sale or 
        use of cannabis in which the individual or entity is located.
            (2) The term ``cannabis offense'' means a criminal offense 
        related to cannabis that, under State law, is no longer an 
        offense or that was designated a lesser offense or for which 
        the penalty was reduced under State law pursuant to or 
        following the adoption of a State law authorizing the sale or 
        use of cannabis.
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