HB 329 - Restoration of Civil Rights Act

• Automatically restores civil rights to felons upon completion of their sentence and all supervision requirements, except for the right to own, possess, or use firearms.

• Exempts persons convicted of murder, sexual battery, child abuse crimes, incest, prostitution-related offenses involving minors, treason, and impeached officials from automatic civil rights restoration.

• Requires courts to notify defendants before accepting guilty pleas or imposing sentences whether their conviction will result in permanent or temporary loss of civil rights.

• Directs the Secretary of State to develop an education program for judges, attorneys, election officials, corrections officials, and the public regarding civil rights restoration requirements.

• Applies retroactively to all eligible individuals regardless of conviction date and takes effect upon passage of HJR 327 or another constitutional amendment authorizing legislative action on this issue.