Bill > SB435

This bill creates a comprehensive automated expungement system for certain criminal records in Missouri, effective August 28, 2028. The legislation allows for automatic closure of records for clean slate eligible offenses, including infractions, misdemeanors, and some felonies, after specific waiting periods without additional criminal activity. Individuals can have up to two felony expungements and four misdemeanor expungements in their lifetime, with different eligibility criteria based on the type of offense and time since final disposition. The bill establishes a detailed process where the state courts administrator will identify eligible records, notify prosecuting agencies, and initiate the expungement process, with safeguards allowing prosecutors to object for specific reasons. The legislation also creates a Missouri Expungement Fund to support implementation costs, requires annual reporting on expungement data, and places restrictions on credit bureaus reporting criminal records beyond seven years. Notably, the bill applies retroactively to any digital criminal records regardless of when the arrest or conviction occurred, and maintains certain exceptions where expunged records can still be considered in specific legal contexts, such as sentencing for subsequent offenses.

Justice

https://www.senate.mo.gov/25info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=175