MD HB169

Allows individuals to petition for expungement of misdemeanor convictions 5 years after completing their sentence, parole, probation, and mandatory treatment, or felony convictions after 7 years

Requires courts to hold a hearing on expungement petitions and grants authority to approve petitions upon a showing of "good cause"

Courts must consider six factors when determining good cause: nature of the crime, person's history and character, risk to public safety, rehabilitation success, time since conviction, and impact on the person's ability to obtain employment, education, housing, public assistance, and licensing

Denials cannot be appealed, and petitioners must wait at least 3 years before filing a subsequent petition for the same conviction

Takes effect October 1, 2026