Bill > HB1545

This bill allows certain individuals convicted of specific felony offenses in Tennessee to petition a court to have their criminal history records sealed, meaning they would be removed from public view. To be eligible, a person must have fully completed all aspects of their sentence, including paying fines and restitution, finishing any jail time or probation, and remaining free of drug or alcohol dependency for at least one year if required by their sentence. They must also not have any pending criminal charges and must have gone at least five years without being convicted of a new crime after completing their sentence. A fee of $500 is required to file the petition. While sealed, these records can still be accessed by law enforcement agencies for purposes like firearms transactions or handgun carry permit applications, by the Department of Health for registries related to vulnerable individuals, and by the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission for law enforcement officer qualifications. The bill lists a wide range of offenses, primarily felonies, that are eligible for sealing, and it also outlines that if a person with sealed records is charged with a new offense (excluding minor traffic violations), the sealing order will be rescinded pending the outcome of the new charge, and the records may be unsealed if convicted. This act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

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https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1545&ga=114