Bill > SB219

This bill modifies Texas laws related to orders of nondisclosure of criminal history record information, which are legal mechanisms that help certain individuals seal or limit public access to their criminal records. The bill introduces a new automatic process for granting nondisclosure orders, where the Department of Public Safety will proactively review criminal records monthly and identify individuals eligible for automatic nondisclosure. Under the new procedure, eligible individuals who have completed deferred adjudication, community supervision, or have been convicted of certain non-violent misdemeanors or felonies will receive an automatic order of nondisclosure without having to file a separate petition. The bill expands eligibility for these orders and establishes a timeline for when individuals become eligible based on the type and severity of their offense, with waiting periods ranging from immediate eligibility for some misdemeanors to seven years for certain felonies. Additionally, the bill eliminates fees associated with filing petitions or obtaining nondisclosure orders and specifies that individuals cannot be required to pay any related fees. The changes aim to provide broader access to nondisclosure orders, potentially helping individuals with certain criminal histories to more easily move past their legal challenges and improve their employment and housing opportunities.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB219