,i  #aaf? ,,congress  #a/ ,session  ,h4 
,r4 #bcdh  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,(           
,,repres5tatives  ,april #bb1 #bjai ,ms4
 ,blunt ,ro*e/] 7= h]self & ,mr4        
,res*5?al]7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i*
 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y
  ,a ,,bill  ,to require automatic seal+
 ( c]ta9 crim9al records1 & = o!r       
purposes4  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may
 be cit$ z ! ,clean ,slate ,act ( #bjai4
  #b4 ,seal+ ( c]ta9 records  7a7       
,am5dm5t ,sub*apt] ,a ( *apt] #bbg (    
title #ah1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$
 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  #cefj4     
,automatic seal+ ( c]ta9 records  7a7   
,def9itions ,9 ?is section-- 7#a7 ! t]m 
cov]$ individual means an individual    
:o--  7,a7 is n a sex (f5d]2  7,b7 7i7  
has be5 arre/$ = a ,f$]al (f5se2 or     
7ii7 has be5 convict$ ( an (f5se "u     
section #djd ( ! ,controll$ ,sub/ances  
,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #hdd7 or any ,f$]al 
nonviol5t (f5se involv+ m>ijuana2  7,c7 
9 ! case ( a conviction describ$ 9      
subp>agraph 7,b77ii71 has fulfill$ ea*  

requirem5t ( ! s5t5ce = ! (f5se1        
includ+--  7i7 complet+ ea* t]m (       
imprisonm5t1 probation1 or sup]vis$     
release2 &  7ii7 satisfy+ ea* condition 
( imprisonm5t1 probation1 or sup]vis$   
release2 &  7,d7 has n be5 convict$ =   
any (f5se relat$ to treason1 t]rorism1  
access & transmission ( s5sitive def5se 
in=mation1 or o!r national security     
relat$ convictions2  7#b7 ! t]m         
nonviol5t (f5se means an (f5se t is n a 
crime ( viol5ce1 z def9$ 9 subp>agraphs 
7,a7 & 7,c7 ( section #caef7;a77#d72 &  
7#c7 ! t]m sex (f5d] has ! mean+ giv5 ! 
t]m 9 section #aaa ( ! ,adam ,wal% ,*ild
 ,protection & ,safety ,act ( #bjjf 7#db
 ,u4,s4,c4 #afiaa74  7b7 ,automatic     
seal+ = c]ta9 arre/s & nonviol5t (f5ses 
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,at ! "t ( s5t5c+ ( a     
cov]$ individual = a conviction pursuant
 to section #djd ( ! ,controll$         
,sub/ances ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #hdd7 or 
( any ,f$]al nonviol5t (f5se involv+    
m>ijuana1 ! c\rt %all ent] an ord] t ea*
 record & portion !re( t relates to !   

(f5se %all be seal$ automatically on !  
date t is "o ye> aft] ! cov]$ individual
 fulfills ea* requirem5t ( ! s5t5ce1    
except t su* record %all n be seal$ if !
 individual has be5 convict$ ( a        
subsequ5t crim9al (f5se4  7#b7          
,acquittal2 det]m9ation n to file *>ges 
7,a7 ,acquittal ,sixty days aft] ! date 
on :i* a cov]$ individual is acquitt$1  
exon]at$1 or o!rwise subject to a       
judgm5t :i* did n result 9 a conviction 
= a ,f$]al (f5se1 ea* record or portion 
!re( t relates to ! ,f$]al (f5se %all be
 seal$ automatically4  7,b7 ,det]m9ation
 n to file *>ges  7i7 ,9 g5]al ,if a    
cov]$ individual is arre/$ = a ,f$]al   
(f5se & ! ,gov]nm5t does n file *>ges   
aga9/ ! cov]$ individual 9 relation to !
 ,f$]al (f5se be=e ! date t is #ahj days
 aft] ! date on :i* ! arre/ 0 made1 ea* 
record or portion !re( t relates to !   
arre/ & ,f$]al (f5se %all be seal$      
automatically on su* date4  7ii7        
,unseal+ = fil+ ( *>ges ,at ! reque/ ( !
 ,gov]nm5t1 a c\rt may unseal a record  

seal$ "u clause 7i7 9 ord] = ! ,gov]nm5t
 to file *>ges aga9/ ! cov]$ individual 
9 relation to ! ,f$]al (f5se describ$ 9 
clause 7i74  7iii7 ,limitation ,if a    
record is unseal$ "u clause 7ii71 !     
record may only be reseal$ 9 accordance 
) subp>agraph 7,a71 p>agraph 7#a71 or   
p>agraph 7#b74  7c7 ,notice ( automatic 
seal+ ,n lat] ?an #fj days aft] an      
individual is arre/$ = a ,f$]al (f5se1 !
 ,attorney ,g5]al %all1 9 writ+1 in=m ! 
individual ( ! automatic seal+ ( records
 & ! effect ( su* seal+ "u ?is section4 
7d7 ,effect ( seal+ ord]  7#a7          
,protection f access ,except z provid$ 9
 p>agraph 7#c71 a record t has be5 seal$
 "u subsection 7b7 %all n be accessible 
to any p]son4  7#b7 ,protection f p]jury
 laws  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,except z provid$ 9
 subp>agraph 7,b71 a cov]$ individual ) 
respect to :om a record has be5 seal$ "u
 subsection 7b7 %all n be requir$ to    
disclose su* in=mation1 & %all n be     
subject to prosecution "u any civil or  
crim9al provision ( ,f$]al or ,/ate law 

relat+ to p]jury1 false swe>+1 or mak+ a
 false /atem5t1 includ+ "u section      
#ajja1 #afba1 #afbb1 or #afbc1 = fail+  
to recite or ackn[l$ge any in=mation t  
has be5 seal$ ) respect to ! (f5se1 or  
respond to any inquiry made ( ! cov]$   
individual1 relat+ to ! protect$        
in=mation4  7,b7 ,exception ,a cov]$    
individual %all disclose in=mation      
conta9$ 9 a record t has be5 seal$ "u   
subsection 7b7--  7i7 :5 te/ify+ 9 c\rt2
  7ii7 9 ! c\rse ( que/ion+ by a law    
en=cem5t (fic] 9 connection ) a         
subsequ5t crim9al inve/igation2 or      
7iii7 9 connection ) employm5t describ$ 
9 subclause 7,i7 or 7,,ii7 ( p>agraph   
7#c77;,a77ii7 t ! individual is seek+4  
7#c7 ,backgr\nd *ecks ,except z provid$ 
9 p>agraph 7#d71 a seal$ record ( a     
cov]$ individual %all n be includ$ 9 any
 backgr\nd *eck conduct$ on ! cov]$     
individual4  7#d7 ,law en=cem5t & c\rt  
exception  7,a7 ,access ,an (fic] or    
employee ( a law en=cem5t ag5cy or a    
c\rt may access a seal$ record ( a cov]$

 individual 9 ! possession ( ! ag5cy or 
c\rt1 or ano!r law en=cem5t ag5cy or    
c\rt1 solely--  7i7 = inve/igatory or   
prosecutorial purposes2 or  7ii7 = a    
backgr\nd *eck t relates to--  7,i7     
employm5t ) a law en=cem5t ag5cy2 or    
7,,ii7 any position t a ,f$]al ag5cy    
designates z a--  7aa7 national security
 position2 or  7bb7 high-risk1 public   
tru/ position4  7,b7 ,disclosure ,an    
(fic] or employee ( a law en=cem5t ag5cy
 or a c\rt may disclose in=mation       
conta9$ 9 a seal$ record only 9 ord] to 
c>ry out ! purposes describ$ 9          
subp>agraph 7,a74  7e7 ,p5alty =        
unau?oriz$ disclosure  7#a7 ,9 g5]al    
,:oev] kn[+ly accesses or discloses     
in=mation conta9$ 9 a seal$ record 9 a  
mann] t is prohibit$ "u ?is section1    
%all be f9$ "u ?is title1 imprison$ = n 
m ?an #a ye>1 or bo?4  7#b7 ,rule (     
con/ruction ,no?+ 9 ?is subsection      
prev5ts a cov]$ individual or an        
individual :o 0 ! victim ( an (f5se f   
access+ or disclos+ in=mation conta9$ 9 

a seal$ record4  7f7 ,rulemak+ ,!       
,attorney ,g5]al %all1 by rule1 e/abli% 
a process to ensure t any record 9 !    
possession ( a ,f$]al ag5cy requir$ to  
be seal$ "u ?is section1 is             
automatically seal$ 9 accordance ) ?is  
section4  7g7 ,applicability ,?is       
section %all apply to an arre/ or       
conviction t occurr$ or 0 ent]$ be=e1   
on1 or aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is     
section4 ,n lat] ?an #b ye>s aft] ! date
 ( ! enactm5t ( ?is section1 ! ,attorney
 ,g5]al %all ensure t any record relat$ 
to an arre/ or conviction t occurr$ or 0
 ent]$ prior to ! automatic seal+ ( su* 
a record1 :i* record is requir$ to be   
seal$ "u ?is section1 is s seal$4  7h7  
,employ] immunity f liability ,an       
employ] :o employs or o!rwise engages an
 individual ^: crim9al records 7 seal$  
pursuant to ?is section %all be immune f
 liability = any claim aris+ out ( !    
misconduct ( ! individual1 if !         
misconduct relates to ! portion ( !     
crim9al records t 7 seal$ pursuant to   

?is section4  7i7 ,e/abli%m5t (         
p>tn]%ips  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,!             
,adm9i/rative ,(fice ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates  
,c\rts may ent] into a contract ) or    
make grants to an organization )        
exp]tise 9 creat+ digital & te*nological
 sy/ems to develop an effici5t &        
effective process = automatically seal+ 
records 9 accordance ) ?is section4     
7#b7 ,au?orization ( appropriations ,!re
 is au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ to       
#b1jjj1jjj to c>ry out ?is subsection4  
#cefa4 ,seal+ ( c]ta9 records ^u        
petition  7a7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is        
section--  7#a7 ! t]m cov]$ nonviol5t   
(f5se means a ,f$]al crim9al (f5se t is 
n-- 7,a7 a crime ( viol5ce 7z def9$ 9   
subp>agraphs 7,a7 & 7,c7 ( section      
#caef7;a77#d772 or  7,b7 a sex (f5se 7z 
t t]m is def9$ 9 section #aaa ( ! ,sex  
,(f5d] ,regi/ration & ,notification ,act
 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afiaa772  7#b7 ! t]m   
eligible individual means an individual 
:o-- 7,a7 has be5 convict$ ( a cov]$    
nonviol5t (f5se2  7,b7 has fulfill$ ea* 

requirem5t ( ! s5t5ce = ! cov]$         
nonviol5t (f5se1 includ+-- 7i7 complet+ 
ea* t]m ( imprisonm5t1 probation1 or    
sup]vis$ release2 &  7ii7 satisfy+ ea*  
condition ( imprisonm5t1 probation1 or  
sup]vis$ release2  7,c7 has n be5       
convict$ ( m ?an #b felonies t are cov]$
 nonviol5t (f5ses1 includ+ any su*      
convictions t h be5 seal$ 7except t =   
purposes ( ?is subp>agraph1 two or m    
felony convictions t are cov]$ nonviol5t
 (f5ses aris+ out ( ! same act1 or acts 
committ$ at ! same "t1 %all be treat$ z 
"o felony conviction72  7,d7 has n be5  
convict$ ( any felony t is n a cov]$    
nonviol5t (f5se2 &  7,e7 has n be5      
convict$ = any (f5se relat$ to treason1 
t]rorism1 access & transmission (       
s5sitive def5se in=mation1 or o!r       
national security relat$ convictions2   
7#c7 ! t]m petition] means an individual
 :o files a seal+ petition2  7#d7 ! t]m 
protect$ in=mation1 ) respect to a cov]$
 nonviol5t (f5se1 means any ref]5ce to--
  7,a7 an arre/1 conviction1 or s5t5ce (

 an individual = ! (f5se2  7,b7 !       
in/itution ( crim9al proce$+s aga9/ an  
individual = ! (f5se2 or  7,c7 ! result 
( crim9al proce$+s describ$ 9           
subp>agraph 7,b72  7#e7 ! t]m seal+ he>+
 means a he>+ held "u subsection        
7c77#b72 &  7#f7 ! t]m seal+ petition   
means a petition = a seal+ ord] fil$ "u 
subsection 7b74  7b7 ,"r ,to file seal+ 
petition  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,on & aft] !    
date t is #a ye> aft] ! date on :i* !   
eligible individual has fulfill$ ea*    
requirem5t describ$ 9 subsection        
7a77#b77;,b71 an eligible individual may
 file a petition = a seal+ ord] )       
respect to a cov]$ nonviol5t (f5se 9 a  
di/rict c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates4  7#b7   
,notice ( opportunity to file petition  
7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,if an individual is      
convict$ ( a cov]$ nonviol5t (f5se & w  
pot5tially be eligible to file a seal+  
petition ) respect to ! (f5se ^u        
fulfill+ ea* requirem5t ( ! s5t5ce = !  
(f5se z describ$ 9 subsection           
7a77#b77;,b71 ! c\rt 9 :i* ! individual 

is convict$ %all1 9 writ+1 in=m !       
individual1 on ea* date describ$ 9      
subp>agraph 7,b71 (--  7i7 t pot5tial   
eligibility2  7ii7 ! necess>y proc$ures 
= fil+ ! seal+ petition2 &  7iii7 !     
b5efits ( seal+ a record4  7,b7 ,dates  
,! dates describ$ 9 ?is subp>agraph     
are--  7i7 ! date on :i* ! individual is
 convict$2 &  7ii7 ! date on :i* !      
individual has complet$ e t]m (         
imprisonm5t1 probation1 or sup]vis$     
release relat+ to ! (f5se4  7c7         
,proc$ures  7#a7 ,notification to       
prosecutor ,if an individual files a    
petition "u subsection 7b71 ! di/rict   
c\rt 9 :i* ! petition is fil$ %all      
provide notice ( ! petition--  7,a7 to !
 (fice ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates attorney t     
prosecut$ ! petition] = ! (f5se2 &  7,b7
 ^u ! reque/ ( ! petition]1 to any o!r  
individual t ! petition] det]m9es may   
te/ify z to !--  7i7 conduct ( !        
petition] s9ce ! date ( ! (f5se2 or     
7ii7 reasons t ! seal+ ord] %\ld be     
ent]$4  7#b7 ,he>+  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,n    

lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date on :i* an
 individual files a seal+ petition1 !   
di/rict c\rt %all--  7i7 except z       
provid$ 9 subp>agraph 7,d71 conduct a   
he>+ 9 accordance ) subp>agraph 7,b72 & 
7ii7 det]m9e :e!r to ent] a seal+ ord] =
 ! individual 9 accordance ) p>agraph   
7#c74  7,b7 ,opportunity to te/ify & (f]
 evid5ce  7i7 ,petition] ,! petition]   
may te/ify or (f] evid5ce at ! seal+    
he>+ 9 support ( seal+4  7ii7           
,prosecutor ,! (fice ( a ,unit$ ,/ates  
attorney t receives notice "u p>agraph  
7#a77;,a7 may s5d a repres5tative to    
te/ify or (f] evid5ce at ! seal+ he>+ 9 
support ( or aga9/ seal+4  7iii7 ,o!r   
individuals ,an individual :o receives  
notice "u p>agraph 7#a77;,b7 may te/ify 
or (f] evid5ce at ! seal+ he>+ z to !   
issues describ$ 9 clauses 7i7 & 7ii7 ( t
 p>agraph4  7,c7 ,magi/rate judges ,a   
magi/rate judge may preside ov] a he>+  
"u ?is p>agraph4  7,d7 ,waiv] ( he>+ ,if
 ! petition] & ! ,unit$ ,/ates attorney 
t receives notice "u p>agraph 7#a77;,a7 

s agree1 ! c\rt %all make a det]m9ation 
"u p>agraph 7#c7 )\t a he>+4  7#c7      
,basis = decision  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,9     
det]m9+ :e!r to ent] a seal+ ord] )     
respect to protect$ in=mation relat+ to 
a cov]$ nonviol5t (f5se1 ! c\rt--  7i7  
%all consid]-- 7,i7 ! petition & any    
docum5ts 9 ! possession ( ! c\rt2 &     
7,,ii7 all ! evid5ce & te/imony pres5t$ 
at ! seal+ he>+1 if su* a he>+ is       
conduct$2  7ii7 may n consid] any       
non-,f$]al nonviol5t crimes = :i* !     
petition] has be5 arre/$ or proce$$     
aga9/1 or ( :i* ! petition] has be5     
convict$2 &  7iii7 %all balance-- 7,i7  
7aa7 ! int]e/ ( public k & safety2 &    
7bb7 ! legitimate int]e/1 if any1 ( !   
,gov]nm5t 9 ma9ta9+ ! accessibility ( ! 
protect$ in=mation1 includ+ any pot5tial
 impact ( seal+ ! protect$ in=mation on 
,f$]al lic5sure1 p]mit1 or employm5t    
re/rictions2 aga9/  7,,ii7  7aa7 !      
conduct & demon/rat$ desire ( !         
petition] to be rehabilitat$ &          
positively contribute to ! community2 & 

7bb7 ! int]e/ ( ! petition] 9 hav+ !    
protect$ in=mation seal$1 includ+ ! h>m 
( ! protect$ in=mation to ! ability ( ! 
petition] to secure & ma9ta9 employm5t4 
7,b7 ,burd5 on ,gov]nm5t ,! burd5 %all  
be on ! ,gov]nm5t to %[ t ! int]e/s "u  
subclause 7,i7 ( subp>agraph 7,a77iii7  
outweigh ! int]e/s ( ! petition] "u     
subclause 7,,ii7 ( t subp>agraph4  7#d7 
,wait+ p]iod aft] d5ial ,if ! di/rict   
c\rt d5ies a seal+ petition1 ! petition]
 may n file a new seal+ petition )      
respect to ! same (f5se until ! date t  
is #b ye>s aft] ! date ( ! d5ial4  7#e7 
,univ]sal =m ,! ,director ( !           
,adm9i/rative ,(fice ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates  
,c\rts %all create a univ]sal =m1       
available ov] ! ,int]net & 9 pap] =m1 t 
an individual may use to file a seal+   
petition4  7#f7 ,fee waiv] ,! ,director 
( ! ,adm9i/rative ,(fice ( ! ,unit$     
,/ates ,c\rts %all by regulation e/abli%
 a m9imally burd5some process "u :i*    
indig5t petition]s may obta9 a waiv] (  
any fee = fil+ a seal+ petition4  7#g7  

,effect ( seal+ ,subsections 7d7 & 7e7 (
 section #cefj %all apply to any record 
t is seal$ "u ?is section4  7#h7 ,public
 def5d] eligibility  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,!   
di/rict c\rt may1 9 its discretion1     
appo9t c\nsel 9 accordance ) ! plan ( ! 
di/rict c\rt 9 op]ation "u section      
#cjjf;,a to repres5t a petition] =      
purposes ( ?is section4  7,b7           
,consid]ations ,9 mak+ a det]m9ation    
:e!r to appo9t c\nsel "u subp>agraph    
7,a71 ! c\rt %all consid]--  7i7 !      
anticipat$ complexity ( ! seal+ he>+1   
includ+ ! numb] & type ( witnesses call$
 to advocate aga9/ ! seal+ ( ! protect$ 
in=mation ( ! petition]2 &  7ii7 !      
pot5tial = adv]se te/imony by a victim  
or a repres5tative ( ! (fice ( ! ,unit$ 
,/ates attorney4  7d7 ,rule (           
con/ruction ,no?+ 9 ?is section may be  
con/ru$ to require a cov]$ individual 7z
 su* t]m is def9$ 9 section #cefj7 to   
submit a seal+ petition ) respect to    
records requir$ to be automatically     
seal$ "u section #cefj4  7e7 ,report+ ,n

 lat] ?an #b ye>s aft] ! date ( enactm5t
 ( ?is section1 & ea* ye> !reaft]1 ea*  
di/rict c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates %all     
issue a public report t--  7#a7         
describes-- 7,a7 ! numb] ( seal+        
petitions grant$ & d5i$ "u ?is section2 
&  7,b7 ! numb] ( in/ances 9 :i* ! (fice
 ( a ,unit$ ,/ates attorney support$ or 
oppos$ a seal+ petition2  7#b7 includes 
any support+ data t ! c\rt det]m9es     
relevant & t does n "n any petition]2 & 
7#c7 disaggregates all relevant data by 
race1 e?nicity1 g5d]1 & ! nature ( !    
(f5se4  7f7 ,employ] immunity f         
liability ,an employ] :o employs or     
o!rwise engages an individual ^: crim9al
 records 7 seal$ pursuant to ?is section
 %all be immune f liability = any claim 
aris+ out ( ! misconduct ( ! individual1
 if ! misconduct relates to ! portion ( 
! crim9al records t 7 seal$ pursuant to 
?is section4  4  7b7 ,table ( sections  
,! table ( sections = sub*apt] ,a (     
*apt] #bbg ( title #ah1 ,unit$ ,/ates   
,code1 is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] ! item   

relat+ to section #ceei ! foll[+3       
#cefj4 ,automatic seal+ ( c]ta9 records4
 #cefa4 ,seal+ ( c]ta9 records ^u       
petition4  4