CA AB2978

Changes the eligibility date for automatic arrest record relief from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 1973, allowing the Department of Justice to review and grant relief to persons with arrests meeting specified criteria that occurred on or after 1973.

Changes the eligibility date for automatic conviction record relief from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 1973, allowing the Department of Justice to identify and grant relief to persons with convictions that occurred on or after 1973 and meet other specified conditions.

Maintains existing conditions for relief, including that persons must not be required to register as sex offenders, have no active supervision records, and not be serving sentences or facing pending charges.

Preserves exceptions to relief, including that persons must still disclose arrests or convictions when directly questioned for peace officer employment, public office applications, or other specified purposes.

Allows prosecutors or probation departments to petition courts within 90 days to prohibit automatic conviction relief based on substantial threat to public safety, with courts conducting hearings to determine if relief should be denied.