Bill > S957

This bill aims to empower individuals affected by substance abuse to rebuild their lives. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Allowing for the automatic sealing of criminal records related to certain controlled substance offenses, such as possession and distribution, if the person successfully completed drug treatment or a certain period of time has passed since the offense. This applies to both adult and juvenile records. 2. Establishing an expedited process for expunging criminal records related to certain controlled substance offenses, without the need to file a formal petition, if the person has not committed any new crimes in the past 5 years. 3. Requiring the Department of Public Health to compile a report on the availability and capacity of licensed drug treatment programs across the Commonwealth to help address any shortfalls in the substance abuse treatment infrastructure. The overall goal of the bill is to remove barriers and provide opportunities for individuals with substance abuse-related criminal histories to access treatment, employment, and other services as they work to rebuild their lives.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S957