Bill > H1531

This bill aims to expand the expungement of juvenile and young adult records in Massachusetts. Key provisions include: 1. Allowing for the expungement of records related to youthful offender proceedings, not just juvenile delinquency proceedings. 2. Defining "best interests of justice" criteria that a judge can consider when determining whether to order the expungement of a record, such as the age of the offense, the petitioner being a victim of trafficking, completion of rehabilitation programs, and other mitigating factors. 3. Removing the limit on the number of records that can be expunged for certain offenders. 4. Requiring the Office of the Commissioner of Probation to annually report on the number of petitions and outcomes for sealing and expungement of records. 5. Prohibiting the transmission of fingerprints and arrest records of minors to federal agencies, except for the purpose of requesting record sealing or expungement. The overall goal of the bill is to make it easier for individuals with juvenile and young adult records to have those records expunged, helping to remove barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1531