HB 53 Summary

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

• Exempts persons convicted of specific crimes from automatic restoration, including murder, sexual battery, aggravated manslaughter of a child, incest, sexual performance by a child, and trafficking minors; also exempts those convicted of treason or impeachment conviction.

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

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

• Applies retroactively to all persons eligible under the act regardless of prior conviction date, contingent on passage of HJR 51 or similar constitutional amendment.