GA HB301

Criminal history records for felony and misdemeanor convictions automatically restricted 5 years after sentence completion, provided the individual has no new convictions (excluding nonserious traffic offenses)

Automatic record sealing does not apply to serious violent felonies, sexual offenses, human trafficking, crimes against disabled adults or elderly persons, child exploitation offenses, or certain crimes against law enforcement officers

Courts must order automatic sealing of records for theft, robbery, and controlled substance convictions 5 years after sentence completion for eligible individuals; records for acquittals or non-convictions sealed within 60 days

Parole Board required to issue certificates of employability to parolees who earn a high school diploma/GED, have no major disciplinary violations in the year before release, and pass a job skills assessment; employers who hire individuals with sealed records receive liability immunity

Sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement for investigations and background checks for law enforcement jobs, high-risk public trust positions, and firearms-related employment; unauthorized access or disclosure punishable by $1,000 fine and/or up to 1 year imprisonment