MS HB801

Requires automatic expungement of misdemeanor convictions by the Department of Public Safety seven (7) years after sentence imposition or completion of sentence terms, whichever is later, with a limit of four (4) misdemeanor convictions per person.

Requires automatic expungement of eligible felony convictions by the Department of Public Safety ten (10) years after sentence imposition or completion of sentence terms, whichever is later, with a limit of two (2) felony convictions per person; excludes crimes of violence, arson, drug trafficking, repeat DUIs, felon in possession of firearm, sex offender registration failure, voyeurism, witness intimidation, vulnerable person abuse, and embezzlement.

Amends Section 99-19-71 to increase the number of felony convictions eligible for expungement by petition from one (1) to two (2), maintaining the requirement that petitioner wait five (5) years after successful completion of sentence terms.

Requires the Department of Public Safety to develop a computer-based expungement program and maintain an electronically accessible record of all expunged convictions accessible to courts statewide by July 1, 2026.

Takes effect July 1, 2024.