S.B. No. 183 Summary

• Allows human trafficking victims to apply to sentencing court for expungement of criminal records for any offense (except homicide and aggravated assault charges) committed as a result of their trafficking victimization.

• Applicant must demonstrate by preponderance of evidence that their participation in the offense resulted from being a victim of human trafficking under Ohio Revised Code section 2905.32.

• For felony offenses of the first or second degree, court must consider specific factors including degree of duress, seriousness of offense, physical harm caused, time elapsed since offense, potential future criminal proceedings, and current supervision status.

• Once expungement is granted, all records are destroyed and permanently irretrievable; applicant may legally state no record exists and courts must send notice of expungement to relevant public offices and agencies.

• Applicant must pay a $50 filing fee (unless indigent), with $30 directed to state treasury and $20 to county general revenue fund; existing expungement law is repealed and replaced.