Bill > HB1391

This bill amends Tennessee law to establish an automatic expunction process for certain criminal convictions, specifically Class E felonies and misdemeanors. Under the new provisions, court clerks are required to automatically remove and destroy all public records of eligible convictions one year after a person completes their sentenced punishment. For convictions occurring on or after July 1, 2025, the court must notify the clerk of the sentence completion date and sign an expunction order to be implemented one year later. Defendants will receive a mailed copy of the expunction order after their records are destroyed. For individuals convicted before July 1, 2025, they may request expunction, and the court will review their eligibility within 30 days. The clerk will then notify the person of the court's determination. Importantly, this automatic expunction process will be provided at no cost to the individual. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to provide a streamlined path to clearing records for individuals who have completed sentences for lower-level offenses, potentially helping to reduce barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities for those with minor criminal histories.

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https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1391&ga=114