MA S1114

Eliminates the requirement for individuals to file petitions to seal criminal records by mandating the Commissioner of Probation establish an automated sealing process that completes sealing within 30 days of eligibility

Misdemeanor records become eligible for automatic sealing after 3 years from court disposition or release from incarceration; felony records become eligible after 7 years, provided no new criminal offenses during those waiting periods

Juvenile delinquency and youthful offender records must be automatically sealed 3 years after disposition, supervision, or release, with no new adjudications or convictions during that period

Excludes certain offenses from automatic sealing: firearms violations (Chapter 140, sections 121-129, 131A-131D, 131F), crimes against public justice (Chapter 268 and 268A except resisting arrest), and sex offenses (which require filing a request)

Takes effect 18 months after passage, with the Commissioner required to seal all currently eligible records in the database within 3 months of the effective date; correctional facilities must report release dates monthly to enable the automated system