House Bill 26-007

This bill establishes a uniform statewide process allowing certain juvenile records to be sealed or expunged after an individual has successfully completed all court-ordered requirements. The bill is intended to support rehabilitation and reduce long-term barriers to education, employment, and housing for individuals who committed offenses as juveniles and have demonstrated compliance with court sentences.

Under the bill, individuals who have completed all terms of their sentence and remained free of new offenses for a specified period may petition the court to have their juvenile records sealed. Sealed records are no longer publicly accessible but may remain available to courts and law enforcement for limited purposes authorized by law.

The bill also allows individuals whose records have been sealed to later petition for expungement following an additional period of lawful behavior. Expungement results in the destruction or permanent removal of the record, allowing the individual to lawfully state that the offense did not occur in most circumstances.

Certain serious offenses, including homicide and felony sexual offenses, are excluded from automatic eligibility. The legislation also directs the Judicial Branch and Department of Law to implement procedures for automatic sealing of eligible nonviolent juvenile records once court sentences are completed.