BOSTON (WWLP) - A fresh start for formerly incarcerated people can mean more than just getting a job or renting an apartment--it can also mean having your record automatically sealed. This new Massachusetts law benefits dogs and cats The Clean Start coalition held a briefing with lawmakers and advocates on Wednesday to raise awareness about a bill that legislator's are planning to introduce this session. This legislation looks to automatically seal records for eligible people with criminal records who successfully served a set duration of time for a meaningful second chance. A western Massachusetts woman spoke about her personal experience as a formerly incarcerated person and having to lie about previously being convicted of a felony in order to get a job and housing. "I had no idea what would become of my life or how I could possibly turn it around. I thought things were bad before I got arrested, but they were far worse now with the 'F' letter hanging over my head," said Jackie Velez, who is now a community program coordinator at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Although Velez's story has a happy ending, she says it is unfair for incarcerated people who have served their time to continue to be punished when they are released. Advocates are optimistic that this bill will pass easily and quickly. "It is something that we can take, it's low-hanging fruit, and I know the commonwealth can do better... this makes sense," said Mimi Ramos, the New England Community Project's Executive Director. Lawmakers are planning briefings and events at the State House in the coming weeks to get other lawmakers involved in their cause and potentially become co-sponsors. Local News Headlines $10,000 donation made to ‘Concerns of Police Survivors’ First responders honored at appreciation dinner in Ludlow Los Angeles resident takes precautions during wildfires Palmer brush fire quickly extinguished WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.