HB 1298 Summary

• Allows sentencing courts to expunge felony and misdemeanor conviction records for offenses committed before age 25, if 12 years have passed since completion of sentence and satisfaction of all court-imposed obligations.

• Prohibits expungement for murder, sex crimes, crimes involving serious bodily injury, deadly weapons, victims under 18, crimes of violence, or convictions of more than one felony.

• Requires courts to seal records with the Department of Correction, law enforcement agencies, and criminal history repositories; permanently seals court records but allows law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts to access sealed records upon showing good cause.

• Allows expunged individuals to be treated as if the arrest or conviction never occurred and to legally deny the arrest or conviction on employment applications and other documents.

• Takes effect July 1, 2010.