Bill > HJ45

This joint resolution requests the Legislative Council to designate an interim committee to conduct a comprehensive study on criminal record expungement and its collateral consequences in Montana. The study aims to review existing expungement laws, investigate challenges faced by individuals with criminal records, and explore how technological changes have made criminal history information more accessible online. The committee will examine legal barriers to opportunity, discrimination in housing and employment, interstate challenges, and the impact of expunged records on recidivism, employment outcomes, and social reintegration. The resolution calls for collaboration with various state agencies and stakeholders, including the Department of Justice, Office of the State Public Defender, and Department of Corrections. The study will analyze expungement practices in other states, evaluate peer support models, and ultimately propose specific legal changes to address barriers and discrimination faced by individuals with expunged criminal records. The final results of the study must be reported to the 70th Legislature in the form of introduced legislation, with all aspects of the study to be completed by September 15, 2026.

Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3562