Bill > H1825

This bill aims to support survivors of trafficking and abuse by expanding the eligibility for expungement and/or sealing of criminal records. The key provisions include: 1. Allowing for the expungement or sealing of records for offenses committed by individuals who were victims of abuse, human trafficking, or coerced sexual relations at the time of the offense, if their participation was a result of such victimization. 2. Establishing a rebuttable presumption that the defendant's participation in the offense was connected to their victimization if they provide official documentation from a relevant agency, though such documentation is not required for the court to grant a petition. 3. Permitting judges to seal court records without a waiting period if the offense occurred while the petitioner was a victim of the specified acts and the court determines that substantial justice would be best served by sealing the record. 4. Clarifying that sealed or expunged records cannot be made available for inspection by any person, unless otherwise provided by law. The overall goal of this bill is to assist survivors of trafficking and abuse by removing barriers to accessing opportunities and resources through the expungement or sealing of their criminal records related to their victimization.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1825