HB 451 Summary

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

• Exempts persons convicted of murder, aggravated manslaughter of a child, sexual battery, incest, sexual performance by a child, selling or buying minors, treason, and impeachment convictions 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 attorneys, judges, election officials, corrections officials, and the public about civil rights restoration requirements.

• Takes effect upon the effective date of HJR 449 or another constitutional amendment authorizing legislative enactment of this law, and applies retroactively to all eligible persons.