MO HB178

Creates a new expungement provision allowing individuals to petition courts to expunge records for prostitution violations, drug offenses under chapter 195, and most municipal ordinances and misdemeanors, with specific exclusions including DWI, sexual offenses, order of protection violations, and commercial driver's license holder offenses.

Requires a minimum five-year waiting period after completion of imprisonment, probation, or parole, plus no additional misdemeanor or felony convictions during that five-year period, and no prior expungement grants under this section.

Allows petitioners to file expungement petitions in the civil division of circuit court in any county where at least one arrest or conviction occurred and requires the petition to include personal identifying information, offense details, arrest dates, and agency information.

Upon granting expungement, records become confidential and available only to parties or by court order for good cause, and the person may deny the arrest, conviction, or expungement occurred without risk of perjury charges.

Sets a minimum 30-day notice period before hearing and requires courts to provide copies of expungement orders to all named agencies; limits individuals to one expungement petition grant under this section.