MS HB497

Requires automatic expungement of misdemeanor convictions by the Department of Public Safety 7 years after sentence imposition or completion of sentence terms, with a limit of 4 misdemeanors per person.

Requires automatic expungement of eligible felony convictions 10 years after sentence imposition or completion of sentence terms, with a limit of 2 felonies per person.

Amends Section 99-19-71 to increase the number of felony convictions eligible for expungement by petition from one (1) to two (2) convictions.

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

Effective date July 1, 2025.