LOS ANGELES - California will soon have what proponents call the nation’s most sweeping law to seal criminal records after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation sent to him last week by state legislators.
The bill - SB-731 - will 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.
The law goes into effect July 1, 2023.
The bill would apply to offenses like domestic violence. It 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 record can trigger nearly 5,000 legal restrictions in California, many of which can limit job opportunities as well as the ability to get housing and educational opportunities, supporters said.
They estimate that 70 million people nationwide face nearly 50,000 legal restrictions based on a criminal or arrest record.
Nationwide, 37 states and more than 150 cities have adopted laws preventing employers from asking candidates about their criminal histories prior to a job offer, according to the National Employment Law Project. This law would go further by automatically sealing convictions for people who meet certain conditions.
SUGGESTED:
Jay Jordan was with some...
Eddie Hearn says that he has it in writing that the UFC will not be producing Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua in December. This is despite Dana White’s latest claim that he is still promoting the eve...