CA AB262

Allow victims of human trafficking arrested or convicted of nonviolent offenses to petition courts for vacatur relief at any time after ceasing to be a trafficking victim, with no time limit on the right to petition.

Prohibit courts from refusing to hear petitions based on petitioner's outstanding fines, fees, or probation violations; stay collection of fines (except restitution) while petition is pending.

Allow petitioners to appear by counsel at all hearings if petition is unopposed; if opposed, petitioner must appear in person unless court finds compelling reason to allow electronic appearance.

Require law enforcement agencies, the Department of Justice, and probation/corrections departments to seal and destroy arrest records within one year of arrest or 90 days after court order, whichever is later, and destroy records one year after the court order.

Require courts to provide petitioner and counsel copies of all sealing/destruction forms submitted to agencies and require Department of Justice to notify petitioner when compliance with the sealing order is complete.