2004 House Bill 5493

Revise criminal record expungement grounds

Introduced in the House

Feb. 10, 2004

Introduced by Rep. Mary Waters (D-4)

To revise the grounds for seeking to have a criminal record expunged from a person’s record. The bill would allow a person convicted of only one felony offense or not more than two misdemeanor offenses to apply to have either the felony conviction or one or both of the misdemeanors expunged. This would not apply to a conviction for an assaultive crime, including criminal sexual conduct, convictions for crimes punishable by life imprisonment, or traffic offenses. Under current law, only a person with a single criminal conviction can petition to have the record expunged.

Referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice

Dec. 1, 2004

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-4) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 2, 2004

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises the crimes that can be expunged. See House-passed bill for details.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 100 to 0 (details)

To revise the grounds for seeking to have a criminal record expunged from a person’s record. The bill would allow a person convicted of either one felony offense and no other offenses, or not more than two misdemeanor offenses, to apply to have the convictions set aside. This would not apply to a conviction for criminal sexual conduct, convictions for crimes punishable by life imprisonment, or traffic offenses. Under current law, only a person with a single criminal conviction can petition to have the record expunged.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 7, 2004

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary