FILE - In this May 20, 2019, photo, state Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles, addresses a gathering in Sacramento, Calif. California would have what proponents call the nation's most sweeping law sealing criminal records if Gov. Gavin Newsom signs legislation approved by state legislators. The bill approved Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022 would automatically seal conviction and arrest records for most ex-offenders who are not convicted of another felony for four years after completing their sentences and any parole or probation. Durazo, the bill's author, said in a statement that the lingering criminal records available through background checks create "a permanent underclass." (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File) The Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California would have what proponents call the nation's most sweeping law to seal criminal records if Gov. Gavin Newsom signs legislation sent to him Thursday by state legislators.

The bill would automatically seal conviction and arrest records for most ex-offenders who are not convicted of another felony for four years after completing their sentences and any parole or probation. Records of arrests that don't bring convictions also would be sealed.

It would take effect in July, and excludes those convicted of serious and violent felonies, and felonies requiring sex offender registration.

Proponents say about 8 million Californians have a criminal or arrest record, or about one of every five state residents. A criminal...

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