Bill > H1701

This bill proposes several key changes to support survivors of trafficking and abuse and encourage increased access to opportunities through expungement and/or sealing of records. It defines a "victim of act(s) constituting abuse, human trafficking, or involuntary sexual relations" and expands the eligibility for sealing records to include offenses that occurred as a result of the petitioner being a victim of such acts. The bill also establishes a rebuttable presumption that the defendant's participation in the offense was connected to their victimization if there is official documentation from a government agency. Additionally, the bill streamlines the process for sealing records, allows individuals or their legal representatives to access sealed records without a court order, and modifies existing laws related to expungement and sealing of records for human trafficking victims.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1701